Cleansing
Wolves in the Throne Room Lyrics

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Behold all that you now know... evil, evil

Let's to the darkest place we know
Outside of the rider's domain
To the heart of the wood
To the hidden places
To the clearing in the forest enchanted

Yes, to the darkest place that we know
Outside of the rider's domain
To the heart of the wood
To the hidden places beyond the briar thickets

The dance must begin as dusk gathers around

Our skin drum and rattle
Know the tune
Jaw bone driven through
The skull of a great foe
Bested with wooden spear
The tip hardened in fire

Bathe in the clear cold stream
Fresh water from the unsullied endless spring that flows from the mountain
We will sing the most ancient song
Spark the fire upon dry tinder

The dance must begin as dusk gathers around

Our skin drum and rattle
Know the tune
Jaw bone driven through
The skull of a great foe

Bested with wooden spear
The tip hardened in fire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wolves in the Throne Room's song Cleansing describe a ritualistic journey deep into the forest to a clearing enchanted by the ancient and the spirit world. The individuals participating in this ritual are preparing to perform a dance as dusk gathers around, with their skin drums and rattles being played to the tune known to them. One of the instruments used is a jawbone driven through the skull of a great foe who was bested with a wooden spear, its tip hardened in fire. The lyrics also mention bathing in a clear cold stream and singing the most ancient song while sparking fire upon dry tinder. The repetition of the lines "to the darkest place we know," and "the dance must begin as dusk gathers around" seem to emphasize the importance of the journey and the roles that the individuals play in the ritual.

Overall, the lyrics suggest a connection to nature and a belief in the power of ritualistic practices to connect with the spirits of the forest. The mention of the jawbone and wooden spear, in particular, suggests a primal, prehistoric element to the ritual, indicating a reverence for the past and its mythology.

Line by Line Meaning

Behold all that you now know... evil, evil
Acknowledge and witness the awareness that has been gained, the understanding of darkness and malevolence

Let's to the darkest place we know Outside of the rider's domain To the heart of the wood To the hidden places To the clearing in the forest enchanted
Journey to the deepest, most secluded location we know, far from the authority of any oppressor, to the center of the forest, the secretive and mystical groves

The dance must begin as dusk gathers around Our skin drum and rattle Know the tune Jaw bone driven through The skull of a great foe Bested with wooden spear The tip hardened in fire
As twilight approaches, commence the ritual celebration with instruments made from our own flesh, aware of the rhythms to use. The jaw of a vanquished enemy protrudes through his own cranium, a testament to our skill and victory, the spear with the sharp end made unbreakable after being calcified by flames.

Bathe in the clear cold stream Fresh water from the unsullied endless spring that flows from the mountain We will sing the most ancient song Spark the fire upon dry tinder
Wash oneself in the pure, icy flow, derived from an eternal source flowing from the mountain. We will chant the most archaic of songs and ignite flames using flammable kindling

Contributed by Savannah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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