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.
Whole Wide World
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
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The sky was still and the cold sun sank down beneath the snow
I hung by my hand from the tree outside
And I looked the whole wide world
The voices came quietly, I shut them down
A tricky young southerly wind came at me with its high whistling sound
I turned around to face it with real arrogance burning inside
The lyrics to “Whole Wide World” by The Mountain Goats capture the feeling of being alone and facing the entire world all at once. The singer is overwhelmed by their own inner turmoil, as if everything in the world is conspiring against them. The consequences of the past are still lingering, and the sky and sun fade away without care. The imagery of the tree outside symbolizes the struggle to hold on, but the singer’s efforts are fruitless as they dangle helplessly.
Despite the quietness around them, the singer hears voices that they attempt to ignore. However, the strong wind snaps them back to reality, reminding them of their arrogance and the frailty of their existence. The singer drinks in the whole wide world, as if absorbing every inch of it, but the world itself remains unaffected by their presence. The song illustrates the feeling of being insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but also the realization that everyone has this same feeling, which makes us all connected.
Line by Line Meaning
The last of the repercussions died off real slow
The negative consequences of my actions gradually dissipated
The sky was still and the cold sun sank down beneath the snow
The peaceful scenery created a chilling atmosphere, as the sun disappeared beneath the snow
I hung by my hand from the tree outside
I clung to a nearby tree, seeking comfort in the familiar feeling of nature
And I looked the whole wide world
I took in the vastness of the world around me, trying to find meaning in it all
The voices came quietly, I shut them down
My inner demons tried to speak up, but I refused to acknowledge them
A tricky young southerly wind came at me with its high whistling sound
A challenging wind blew past me, testing my resolve with its shrill noise
I turned around to face it with real arrogance burning inside
Instead of feeling defeated, I held my head high and faced the challenge head-on, fueled by my own pride
And I drank in the whole wide world
In the face of adversity, I refused to back down and instead embraced the vastness and complexity of the world around me
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.