Run Cried The Crawling

Agnes Obel's 'Run Cried The Crawling' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, loss, and the inevitable passage of time. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relationship that has descended from the heights of hope to the depths of despair. The imagery of 'crawling down from high hopes to the ground' suggests a fall from grace, a journey from optimism to disillusionment. This descent is accompanied by 'trouble singing along,' indicating that the relationship was fraught with difficulties from the start.

The recurring motif of 'a giant in the room' symbolizes an unspoken issue or a significant presence that looms over the relationship. This giant, representing the heart and soul, was left behind in the pursuit of the other person, indicating a sacrifice made for love. However, the relationship ultimately ends, as expressed in the lines 'We took the walk alone, and now we are through.' The wind and the cloak before the moon add a layer of mystique and melancholy, suggesting that the end was inevitable and shrouded in a sense of foreboding.

Nature plays a significant role in the song, with references to the wind, the moon, and a frozen lake. These elements symbolize the natural course of events and the inevitability of change. The line 'Nature will get her way, though you took her for a fool' implies that despite attempts to control or defy nature, it ultimately prevails. The song concludes with a bittersweet acceptance of the end, as the narrator finds solace in the arms of their lover, even though the relationship is over. The repetition of 'I'm alright here in your arms, darling' underscores a longing for comfort and a sense of peace amidst the turmoil.