Darnielle began the new millennium with The Coroner's Gambit for Absolutely Kosher before signing to 4AD for the release of the surprisingly polished Tallahassee in 2002. We Shall All Be Healed followed in 2004, and one year later, Darnielle was back with The Sunset Tree. Remaining as prolific as ever, Darnielle turned away from the intensity of The Sunset Tree for a calmer, more reflective set of songs on 2006's Get Lonely. The accessible and assured Heretic Pride appeared in 2008. Next up was the Bible verse-inspired The Life of the World to Come, the group's sixth album for 4AD, in 2010. Switching to Merge Records in 2011, Darnielle released All Eternals Deck, which was recorded in four different studios in Brooklyn, Boston, North Carolina, and Florida with four different producers -- John Congleton, Scott Solter, Brandon Eggleston, and Morbid Angel guitarist and Hate Eternal frontman Erik Rutan -- helming various tracks. That year the band was also handpicked by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival that he was curating in Minehead, England, but they were ultimately unable to appear due to scheduling issues.
Never Quite Free
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's only friendly fields and open roads
And you'll sleep better when you think you've stepped back from the brink
And found some peace inside yourself, lay down your heavy load
It gets alright
To dream at night
Believe in solid skies and slate blue earth below
It's okay to find the faith to saunter forward
There's no fear of shadows spreading where you stand
And you'll breathe easier just knowing that the worst is all behind you
And the waves that tossed the raft all night have set you on dry land
It gets okay
To praise the day
Believe in sheltering skies and stable earth beneath
But hear His breath come through His teeth
Walk by faith
Tell no one what you've seen
It's so good to learn that from right here the view goes on forever
And you'll never want for comfort, and you'll never be alone
See the sunset turning red, let all be quiet in your head
And look about, all the stars are coming out
They shine like steel swords
Wish me well, where I go
But when you see me, you'll know
The song Never Quite Free by The Mountain Goats is a testament to hope and resilience, with lyrics that convey messages of personal growth and moving past difficult times. The opening lines of the song talk about finding solace in the beauty of nature - the friendly fields and open roads outside one's window. The lyrics suggest that by finding peace within oneself and shedding the burdens that keep us down, we can sleep better and begin to feel truly alive. The references to dreaming at night and solid skies suggest a sense of inner calm and stability that comes with finding one's place in the world. The chorus emphasizes the importance of faith in moving forward, suggesting that by believing in ourselves and the world around us, we can overcome our fears.
The second verse carries on this theme of hope, highlighting the idea that there is no need to fear the shadows that may lurk in our lives. By taking a deep breath and trusting that the worst is behind us, we can find the strength to move forward. The sense of relief is palpable in lines like "the waves that tossed the raft all night have set you on dry land." The chorus again emphasizes the importance of belief and faith in oneself and one's surroundings, paving the way for a brighter future.
The final verse is a poetic ode to the beauty of the world around us, encouraging us to take comfort in the endless view and the ever-present stars. The reference to steel swords and wishing well suggests a certain degree of uncertainty and the possibility of future challenges, but the final line - "but when you see me, you'll know" - emphasizes the sense of strength and determination that we can draw from within ourselves.
Overall, Never Quite Free is a song that encourages us to find hope and healing in our lives, even in the face of difficult times. The lyrics encourage us to find peace within ourselves, trust in the world around us, and move forward with faith and belief in ourselves and our surroundings.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so good to learn that right outside your window
It's comforting to know that just beyond your doorstep lies nothing but open meadows and clear roads
There's only friendly fields and open roads
The world is a welcoming place filled with kindness and opportunities
And you'll sleep better when you think you've stepped back from the brink
You'll rest easier when you believe you've overcome difficult situations and found inner peace
And found some peace inside yourself, lay down your heavy load
Once you've discovered tranquility within yourself, you can finally let go of your burdens and exhale deeply
It gets alright
Everything will be okay in the end
To dream at night
It's perfectly fine to let your mind wander and indulge in daydreams
Believe in solid skies and slate blue earth below
Have faith in the stability and steadfastness of the universe
But when you see Him, you'll know
When you encounter the almighty, you'll have no doubt of His presence
It's okay to find the faith to saunter forward
It's perfectly fine to slowly tread ahead with newfound confidence
There's no fear of shadows spreading where you stand
There's nothing to be afraid of in the darkness when you are rooted in your beliefs
And you'll breathe easier just knowing that the worst is all behind you
You'll find it less difficult to breathe once you realize that the worst is over and done with
And the waves that tossed the raft all night have set you on dry land
The tumultuous waters that put you in peril have finally receded, leaving you ashore
It gets okay
Things will improve
To praise the day
It's perfectly acceptable to thank the universe for each day that passes
Believe in sheltering skies and stable earth beneath
Hold onto the idea of a trustworthy and secure home world
But hear His breath come through His teeth
Be aware of God's presence, even when He is silent
Walk by faith
Believe in your religious convictions
Tell no one what you've seen
Keep your spiritual experiences private
It's so good to learn that from right here the view goes on forever
It's heartening to realize that the world is infinite and that there's always more to discover
And you'll never want for comfort, and you'll never be alone
You'll always have someone to turn to and a shoulder to lean on, so you'll never be lonely or uncomfortable
See the sunset turning red, let all be quiet in your head
Observe the world as day turns into night, and clear your mind of any distractions
And look about, all the stars are coming out
Take a look at the sky and see all the stars that are beginning to emerge
They shine like steel swords
The stars are sparkling like the sharpest of weapons
Wish me well, where I go
Desire good things for me, no matter where I end up
But when you see me, you'll know
Once we meet again, you'll immediately recognize me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Darnielle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind