Babel
Unveiling the Crumbling Walls of Self: Babel by Mumford & Sons
Lyrics
I know the time has numbered my days,
I am aware that my time on earth is limited.
And I'll go along with everything you say
I will comply with whatever you say.
But I'll ride home laughing, look at me now,
Despite challenges, I return home joyfully; observe me now.
For the walls of my tower they come crumbling down
The walls of my metaphorical tower are collapsing.
And my ears hear the call of my unborn sons,
I hear the call of my future, unborn sons.
And I know the choices color all I've done
My decisions have shaped all my actions.
But I'll explain it all to the watchman's son,
I will explain everything to the watchman's son.
I ain't ever lived a year better spent in love
I have not lived a year better spent than in love.
'Cause I know my weakness, know my voice
I acknowledge my weaknesses and recognize my voice.
And I'll believe in grace and choice
I believe in both grace and choice.
And I know perhaps my heart is fast
My heart may be quick, but I will be genuine.
But I'll be born without a mask
I will be born without hiding behind a facade.
Like the city that nurtured my greed and my pride,
Similar to the city that fostered my greed and pride,
I stretched my arms into the sky
I reached for the sky, expressing my cry: Babel.
I cry Babel, Babel, look at me now
My tower is falling; observe me now.
For the walls of my tower they come crumbling down
Reiteration of the metaphorical collapse of personal constructs.
You ask where will we stand in the winds that will howl
Where will we stand amidst challenging times?
Is all we see we'll slipping to the cloud?
Is our perception limited to what is fleeting?
So come down from your mountain and stand where we've been
Come down from your elevated position and experience our reality.
You know our breath is weak and our body thin
Recognize our fragility; our breath is feeble, our bodies frail.
Press my nose up to the glass around your heart
I press against the barrier surrounding your emotions.
I should've known I was weaker from the start
I should have known my vulnerability from the beginning.
You'll build your walls, and I will play my bloody part
You construct barriers, and I will play my challenging role.
To tear, tear them down
To dismantle these barriers.
Well I'm gonna tear, tear them down
I am determined to tear them down.
'Cause I know my weakness, know my voice
Reiteration of recognizing weaknesses and one's own voice.
And I'll believe in grace and choice
I continue to believe in grace and choice.
And I know perhaps my heart is fast
Though my heart may be hasty, it will be authentic.
But I'll be born without a mask
I will be born without hiding my true self.
Comment