The Cave

I agree with what most people are saying, except the relationship aspect (guy/girl). I feel like the whole essence of this song goes far beyond the pain/joy of being with someone else. It's a song about self discovery in ways that transcend the actual concept of self. I definitely think the whole song is an overall reference to Plato's Allegory of the Cave. "It's empty in the valley of your heart The sun, it rises slowly as you walk Away from all the fears And all the faults you've left behind

The harvest left no food for you to eat You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see But I have seen the same I know the shame in your defeat" This is his view of fellow "cave dwellers". He sees and understands the pain that they are enduring, but he ends this verse/sings the chorus to show that the difference isn't in people's situations, but in their view and response to them. "Cause I have other things to fill my time You take what is yours and I'll take mine Now let me at the truth Which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears I can see widows and orphans through my tears I know my call despite my faults And despite my growing fears." It is in the second verse that he, in a way, becomes fed up with feeling sorry for himself and takes a step towards perspective. And although this song, overall, has very strong Christian, Biblical undertones, this verse is probably the most profound. There is a spiritual determination here. "Now let me at the truth which will refresh my broken mind." The second part of the second verse is my absolute favourite lyric. I am a huge fan of The Odyssey, his allusion is perfect for this song. Again, it calls to mind a sense of urgency, especially when bonded to it's unmistakable Biblical reference. He's so determined to see beyond himself and his "negative situation" to see the hurt and need in the world that is represented by the ones who have lost loved ones (widows and orphans). This is so significant because in Hebraic culture, the widow and the orphan represent the lowest of the low as far as social status goes. They represent the ones who are in the utmost need. The ones who have life's noose around their necks, if you will. "So make your siren's call And sing all you want I will not hear what you have to say

Cause I need freedom now And I need to know how To live my life as it's meant to be" This song comes full circle by him being so compassionate, that he invites those in the "negative situations" to join his point of view (upside down - I Corinthians 1:25), and see that there are others who have less than they. But even though he is compassionate, he will not be dragged down by their complaints and their ideas of what is fair and what is unfair. Until this point, I have neglected to mention one the most key aspect of this song. In the chorus, he says, I'll know my name as it's called again. Although it can mean many things, I think that it goes along perfectly with the rest the clear Christian theme of this song. All throughout the Bible, when people would be called to higher purpose, out of their former situations, many times God would change their names as their lives and characters would also change. So his name would be called again as he changed his ways. Overall, no matter how you interpret this song, it is amazing. It is encouraging. It is just beautiful. Mumford & Sons is an amazing group of musicians.