To view Mumford & Son's "I Will Wait" visit this link.
Alternative
folk music has made a comeback in the past few years, adding many new bands and
artists to the music scene. With the addition of this genre to stations playing
the more popular Top 40 hits, the tone of radio stations has changed, adding a
diversity of messages that is much more personal. Mumford & Son’s song “I
Will Wait” is an example of this. By adding this band to radio stations and
helping expand the music base from those with generic Top 40 tastes, they
create a larger activity system of listeners and music consumers.
Because
the song is mainstream at this point (due to the success of the musical group),
the references I have noticed and chosen to discuss are up for interpretation. The
activity systems this song functions within allows for other explanations to
take hold. One great quality unique to Mumford & Son’s is their ability to
write lyrics with emotions that are universal and that serve each of their
listeners individually, yet make their listening experience divinely personal.
Stemming from my own Christian beliefs, I have chosen to explain the way
Christianity functions within this song and how they lyrics create a context
that other believers can relate to and experience as well.
One of
the first rhetorical devices used is the apostrophe. When the words “These days
of dust” are used, they are referencing the hard times of struggle people may
be facing in today’s world. Instead of outwardly referencing struggles and
hardships, they use “dust,” which has the ability to collect and cause bigger
issues later on. This is a great representation of how many small struggles are
capable of causing much larger problems. Many times, a person will turn to
Christianity because of the struggles they face—showing how, like dust, the
accumulation of turmoil can lead to a rebirth, such as the one prayer and
Christianity can lead to.
The next
phrase “Which we’ve known / Will blow away with this new sun” references the
forgiveness accompanied by the “new sun,” which in this context, represents
Jesus Christ. The backbone of the Christian faith is the forgiveness of sins
associated with believing in this new “sun,” as Jesus’s function within
Christianity is the Savior, the one who saves all human beings.
And I'll kneel
down” which represents prayer and reliance on God, needing His comfort and
strength. The repetition of this phrase also references prayer, as it is common
for a person to kneel when they are praying.
The
phrase beginning with “So break my step / And relent / You forgave and I won’t
forget” contains anaphora. The word “so” is used at the beginning of multiple
phrases and emphasizes the result of something, which in the case of the song,
may be the struggles associated with being a Christian. In the context of this
song the possible function of the word is emphasizing that the speaker is in
need of a Savior, is in need of the forgiveness given freely by Jesus. For many
Christians, the process of finding and growing faith really does change the
life a person is living, which may mean turning away from things that have
caused past pain. By bringing God into a life, stopping these habits will
“break” their step and allow them to be forgiven by Jesus. Since forgiveness is
such an important part of the Christian faith, remembering this promise is
essential.
As a
whole, the first half of this song (verses one and two) establishes the desire
to be Christians and walk with God, to have forgiveness of sins. The second
half of this song, beginning at line 23, appears to be the result of that
decision—as if they are stating how this decision has impacted their lives.
This idea comes through because of their use of metabasis, which is stating
what has been said or what will follow, the latter being what I believe to be
taking place. When they say “So I’ll be bold / As well as strong / And use my
head alongside my heart” the speaker is telling how they plan to live their
life, how their newfound faith has altered their being. The story is
progressing and as they continue to use these rhetorical devices, they open up
new degrees of storytelling. The song becomes much more personal as they invite
their listeners into the faith they experience. Because Christians sometimes
face adversity as a result of their beliefs, the degree of strength one must
have is very real and relevant for discussion in this song.
Continuing
the discussion of the second half of the song, the phrase “And use my head
alongside my heart” is a metaphor for the change of heart associated with being
Christian. Though this is not true of all non-believers, many people in today’s
world do not always think with their heart, but only their minds—they choose logic
over faith. Many new Christians will experience a change of heart and
perspective, which will often lead to an adjustment in thinking. Things that
were once important to them may not be, which is why this line is a pivotal
part of this song. It’s as if the speaker recognizes that if they are to stay
true to their faith, they must use their heart to direct them and follow Gods
will instead of using only their head as a means of decisiveness.
The rest
of this verse also discusses the struggle of the Christian journey and is a
prayer for remaining on the journey and being steadfast in belief. “So tame my
flesh / And fix my eyes / That tethered mind free from the lies” represents
breaking away from the worldly desires and ideas that may have once overcome their
lives. Christians are bound to, at some point during their faith journey,
question their beliefs and wonder if this path is right for them. They use the
word “tethered” because it emphasizes a strong connection to their faith, to
making it a stronghold of their lives.
The lines
following this verse directly allude to the idea of prayer, as it states:
“But I’ll
kneel down / Wait for Now / I’ll kneel down / Know my ground / Raise my hands /
Paint my spirit gold / And bow my head / Keep my heart slow.” Without using the
word prayer specifically, they paint their listeners a picture that they, without
any similar belief system, would be able to recognize and relate to.
In
general, the repetitive nature of the chorus, using the phrase “I will wait,”
emphasizes the deep need and desire for saving. The repetition shows the
importance these words have and their willingness to be patient and wait for
the comfort they so yearn for to rest upon them. The lyrics “I will wait” may
also reference the second coming of Christ because many Christians see this day
as something to look forward to, as it is a representation of entering Heaven—the
pinnacle of salvation.
Though
each individual’s journey within this world is different, many human beings can
relate to the desire for an understanding or comfort of a being higher than
themselves. Not everyone will turn to Christianity for that, but the idea of
receiving comfort from another person is a fairly universal desire. Though I
believe this song touches on the specific act of prayer, Mumford & Son’s
lyrics resonate well with music-lovers because they speak of innate human
needs, such as love and comfort. It is not necessary for a person to have
Christian beliefs in order to appreciate the message of the song.
The
rhetorical devices used in this song play a very significant role in how the
lyrics of this song are represented to the listener. One of the reason’s
Mumford & Son’s has created a strong following is because of the story
component their music brings. Though there is not necessarily an obvious sacred
connection to their music, those who share a similar system of belief are able
to appreciate the meaning it endures. Those who may not have the same beliefs,
but still enjoy Mumford & Son’s music, do so because of the honesty that
shines through in the lyrics and tone Mumford & Son’s allows.
--Melissa Moss
No comments:
Post a Comment