The Meaning Behind The Song: Isles by Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes is an American indie folk band known for their ethereal vocal harmonies and poetic lyrics. Their song “Isles” is a beautiful example of their unique sound, and its lyrics are steeped in metaphors and symbolism. In this article, we’ll explore the deeper meaning behind this song and decipher the rich imagery used by the band.
The Lyrics of “Isles”
Before we dive deeper into the meaning of “Isles,” let’s take a look at the lyrics:
“Visions of bodies being burned
As ancient glories unfold
Drown in their holy water
Bury them low with the dead
Doing the work of the Lord
The trouble with Christian kindness
The weight of a load is love
(Chorus)
Are we toiling just for the sight of it all?
Are we toiling just for the sight of it all?
Praising for the sight of it all
Hail our benefactors for bringing us home
Gold and vessels of living text
Bury them low with the rest
(Joint Chorus)
Are we toiling just for the benefit of our foes?
Painting pictures of the life we leave
Antediluvian songs echo through the Isle
Hail our benefactors for bringing us home”
The Symbolism in the Lyrics
The first verse of the song contains some pretty heavy imagery – “Visions of bodies being burned / As ancient glories unfold / Drown in their holy water / Bury them low with the dead.” This can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one interpretation is that it refers to the religious and societal upheavals that have characterized human history. The “ancient glories” may refer to the powerful and dominant civilizations of the past, while “bodies being burned” may represent the victims of war and violence.
The lyrics “Doing the work of the Lord / The trouble with Christian kindness / The weight of a load is love” could be interpreted as a critique of the church and its role in history. The idea that “the weight of a load is love” could refer to the burden of love that Jesus asks his followers to carry. The “Christian kindness” mentioned here could be seen as a shallow or even insincere attempt to emulate Christ’s love.
The chorus of the song (“Are we toiling just for the sight of it all? / Are we toiling just for the sight of it all? / Praising for the sight of it all / Hail our benefactors for bringing us home”) poses a question to the listener – are we working hard just for the sake of working hard, or are we working hard because we want to achieve something? The reference to benefactors brings up the idea of gratitude for those who help us in our journey through life.
The second verse of the song refers to “Gold and vessels of living text / Bury them low with the rest.” This could be interpreted as a criticism of material wealth and the idea that it doesn’t matter how much wealth or knowledge we accumulate because in the end, we all end up in the same place.
The joint chorus (“Are we toiling just for the benefit of our foes? / Painting pictures of the life we leave / Antediluvian songs echo through the Isle / Hail our benefactors for bringing us home”) touches on the idea that sometimes we work hard for the benefit of others, even if those others don’t share our values or beliefs. The reference to “antediluvian songs” conjures up an image of something ancient and mystical.
The Meaning Behind the Title
The title of the song, “Isles,” adds another layer of symbolism to the lyrics. An isle is an island, and this could be interpreted as a metaphor for a person’s isolation or feeling of being cut off from the rest of society. It could also refer to a feeling of being lost or searching for meaning, as the sea is often a symbol of the unknown and the uncontrollable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the inspiration behind the lyrics of “Isles”?
While the band hasn’t shared any specific inspiration for the lyrics of “Isles,” it’s clear that the song touches on themes of mortality, religion, and gratitude.
2. What is the meaning of the line “Doing the work of the Lord”?
This line could be interpreted as a critique of organized religion and the idea that some religious leaders may not be acting in the best interests of their followers.
3. What is the significance of the word “Isles” in the title of the song?
The word “Isles” could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it likely refers to the feeling of being lost or searching for meaning.
4. What does “antediluvian” mean?
“Antediluvian” means “before the flood,” and is often used to describe something that is ancient or primitive.
5. What are the “benefactors” mentioned in the lyrics?
The “benefactors” mentioned in the song could refer to anyone who has helped us on our journey through life, whether that be a close friend, family member, or even a stranger.
6. What is the symbolism behind the lyrics “Gold and vessels of living text / Bury them low with the rest”?
This could be interpreted as a critique of material wealth and the idea that it doesn’t matter how much wealth or knowledge we accumulate because in the end, we all end up in the same place.
7. What is the significance of the religious references in the lyrics?
The religious references in the lyrics could be interpreted as a commentary on organized religion and the role it has played in human history.
8. What is the overall message of the song “Isles”?
The overall message of the song is somewhat ambiguous, but it could be interpreted as a call to reflect on our own mortality and the significance of our actions in the grand scheme of things.
9. What is the significance of the sea in the song?
The sea is often used as a symbol of the unknown and the uncontrollable, and could be interpreted as a metaphor for the journey through life.
10. What is the meaning of the line “The weight of a load is love”?
This line could be interpreted as a reference to the burden of love that Christ asks his followers to carry.
11. What is the significance of the first verse of the song?
The first verse of the song contains some pretty heavy imagery and could be interpreted in a number of ways, but one interpretation is that it refers to the religious and societal upheavals that have characterized human history.
12. What is the significance of the joint chorus?
The joint chorus touches on the idea that sometimes we work hard for the benefit of others, even if those others don’t share our values or beliefs. The reference to “antediluvian songs” conjures up an image of something ancient and mystical.