“How,” featuring Brandi Carlile, is a haunting journey through pain, memory, and the difficult path to forgiveness. It seems to address someone who caused deep hurt, perhaps a betrayal or a wound from the past. The song’s core message is about the struggle to forgive, the process of understanding, and ultimately, finding a way to let go of the pain. The lyrics paint images of struggling with painful memories, trying to make sense of what happened, and the complicated emotions involved in forgiving someone who hurt you deeply.
“How” is about the pain, the memories, and the tough road to forgiveness. Keep reading, and let’s explore this path through the lyrics and the story behind them.
“How” Lyrics Meaning
“I had wondered what was done to you / To give you such a taste of flesh” – the song opens with a reflection, possibly suggesting past trauma or experiences that shaped the person who caused the hurt. There’s a sense of trying to understand the reasons behind their actions.
“I guess for years I just carried on / Didn’t feel much of a choice to suppress” – These lines indicate a long period of bearing the pain, perhaps a sense of helplessness or the lack of an alternative but to endure.
“I hope your memory is less vivid than mine / And it’s free from that awful maple light” – Here, the lyrics touch on the hope that the person who caused the pain isn’t as haunted by the memories as the singer is. The ‘maple light’ could symbolize a specific memory or moment that remains vividly painful.
“I have to say I still wish you had just done it in the dark / So the pictures didn’t burn so bright” – This line conveys a wish that the hurtful actions or events were less visible, less memorable, perhaps indicating a public betrayal or a very clear memory that’s hard to shake off.
“But I’ll forgive you now / Release you from all of the blame I know how / And I’ll forgive you now / As if saying the words will help me know how” – The chorus is a powerful declaration of forgiveness, acknowledging that saying it out loud is part of learning how actually to forgive.
“I make my case to the Shahanshah as I bring him his cup / And I tell him the best I can what I need / To build the walls of my Jerusalem back up” – These lines might be metaphorical, alluding to seeking justice or understanding from a higher power or authority, and expressing the need to rebuild one’s inner strength or sanctuary.
“I have reckoned with what you’ve taken from me / And I killed that liar in my head / I buried him beneath the maple tree / There’s no joy in dancing with the dead” – This part of the song talks about confronting the loss and the internal struggle, symbolized by ‘the liar in my head.’ The act of burial could signify letting go of the false narratives or the hurtful memories.
The Story Behind “How”
This song is not just a casual composition; it’s a window into a soul grappling with the aftermath of deep hurt and the complex journey towards forgiveness. The intensity of the lyrics suggests a personal experience, a struggle that Mumford felt compelled to share through his music.
The vivid imagery in the song – the maple light, the Shahanshah, the Jerusalem walls– aren’t just poetic devices. They’re the pieces of a puzzle, each representing a facet of the emotional landscape Mumford navigated while writing this song. The reference to historical and biblical elements might hint at the timelessness of the emotions he’s expressing – pain, betrayal, and the quest for peace and forgiveness are as old as humanity itself.
In essence, “How” is more than a song. It’s a journey through the darker parts of the human heart, an exploration of the scars we carry, and a testament to the power of forgiveness, even when it seems impossibly hard. For Mumford, writing this song might have been a necessary step in his own process of healing and understanding – a way to articulate what can’t be said in simple conversation, and to connect with others who have walked a similar path.