The band described the song as opening "with the crackling of a fire and th… Read Full Bio ↴The band described the song as opening "with the crackling of a fire and the voice of Steve Von Till (Neurosis) invoking the springtime thaw. It then storms into a dirge inspired by 90’s Finnish doom with lyrics that celebrate Imbolc, the holy day which marks the end of winter and the first stirrings of spring."

The Old Ones Are With Us
Wolves in the Throne Room Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Winter is dying
The sun is returning
The ice is receding
Rivers are flowing

The ground will be fertile
The seeds they awake
The ploughs will be charmed

The spirits rejoicing

The fires are burning
The offerings are given
The children are singing
The old ones are with us

We are becoming

The drow command the fires to burn
And the wine to flow
Wraiths watch in envy
Grapes and a chalice of gold
Reign under the stars

Laughter and song in the night
Bring tears to their eyes
And my soul thaws
In the decadence of night
The dead world stirs

Here In the halls of Anwyn
The food of the dead lie untouched

Four headed dragon
Slit eyed
Crouched
Birthed

Ennobling flame
The blood flows

Overall Meaning

"The Old Ones Are With Us" is a song by the black metal band, Wolves in the Throne Room. In this song, the band celebrates the coming of spring after the cold winter season. The first few lines discuss the change in season, as the sun returns and the ice starts to recede, allowing rivers to flow again. This change in season also means that the ground will become fertile, and the seeds will awake, allowing for cultivation with charmed ploughs. This brings about joyous spirits, with fires burning and offerings given. It is said that the old ones are with them in this celebration.

As the song progresses, we see that not all are happy with this change. The drow command the fires to burn and the wine to flow, while wraiths watch in envy. However, there is much joy among humans as laughter and song fill the night. The night brings about an air of decadence, and even the dead world seems to stir. In the halls of Anwyn, the food of the dead lies untouched as the living celebrate.

The final lines of the song reference some sort of dragon, with four heads and slit eyes. There is also mention of ennobling flame and blood flowing, which could be a reference to a mythical creature or perhaps symbolism for power.

Line by Line Meaning

Winter is dying
The season of coldness is ending

The sun is returning
Spring is coming

The ice is receding
Melting of snow and ice is happening

Rivers are flowing
Streams are filling with water

The ground will be fertile
The soil will be healthy enough to grow crops

The seeds they awake
The plants come out of their dormant period

The ploughs will be charmed
Farming tools are empowered by spirits of the forest

The spirits rejoicing
Nature gods are pleased

The fires are burning
Bonfires are lit

The offerings are given
Tributes are presented to fury divinities

The children are singing
Kids are praising the seasonal change