“Away From The Mire” is an introspective song by Billy Strings, released on his album HOME. The song blends bluegrass instrumentation with poignant lyrics that explore themes of reflection, pain, resilience, and the passage of time. The lyrics delve into personal struggles, disillusionment, and the hope for overcoming life’s challenges.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“Away From the Mire” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Remember the time
We were both eye to eye
And we both knew the reasons why
It seemed like we faced the world on our own
Before we collide
Can we just take a moment
Collecting reflections of this
And remember the paths that we chose
The opening verse reflects on a moment of mutual understanding and connection (“eye to eye”) between two people. It suggests a shared struggle or journey where they faced the world together. However, there is a sense of tension or impending conflict (“before we collide”). The speaker invites a pause for reflection, asking to remember the choices they made along their paths. This sets the tone for the song as one of looking back on life’s challenges and decisions with both nostalgia and regret.
[Chorus 1]
Spring lied to us this year again
I can’t stand to face the fear again
You could always laugh about those things
It’s enough to make a man feel sour
Burning minutes every day by the hour
Just to end up gone like everything else
The refrain introduces the metaphor of spring “lying,” symbolizing broken promises or unmet expectations. Spring often represents renewal and hope, but here it has failed to deliver. The speaker expresses weariness in facing recurring fears and disappointments. The line “You could always laugh about those things” contrasts the speaker’s struggle with someone else’s lightheartedness, which may feel dismissive or bittersweet. The imagery of “burning minutes every day by the hour” conveys the relentless passage of time and the futility of efforts that ultimately “end up gone like everything else.” This highlights existential frustration and impermanence.
[Verse 2]
Let go of the pain
Hold on to the rhythm
That’s consciously held back in you
You’re drowning a sorrow that’s long been at rest
The past is a hell
It can creep up inside you
So let me remind you of this
There’s a reason your troubles exist
This verse shifts toward self-reflection and healing. The speaker advises letting go of pain while holding onto an inner rhythm or vitality that has been suppressed. There’s an acknowledgment that sorrow from the past still lingers (“drowning a sorrow that’s long been at rest”), but it must be consciously released to move forward. The past is described as “a hell” that can resurface unexpectedly, serving as both a warning and a reminder that struggles exist for a reason—perhaps as lessons or catalysts for growth.
[Chorus 2]
Spring lied to us again this year
Still, I can’t stand to face the fear
Will you always laugh about those things?
It’s enough to make a man stay humble
Every day is just a new chance to stumble
Just to end up gone like everything else
The second chorus mirrors the first but adds subtle nuances. The speaker continues to grapple with fear and disappointment, yet there’s an underlying humility in recognizing life’s unpredictability (“Every day is just a new chance to stumble”). This line suggests acceptance of human fallibility while reinforcing the idea that all things, including struggles, are transient (“just to end up gone like everything else”).
[Verse 3]
If ever a time
Comes around in the wheel
To replace where we stand side-by-side
We’ll be ready and able to fly
Away from the mire
And the senseless decisions
Of somebody’s wasted desire
Through the smoke and the wind and the fire
The third verse introduces hope and transformation. It envisions a future moment when circumstances align (“if ever a time comes around in the wheel”) to allow for freedom from current struggles. The phrase “away from the mire” evokes escaping from stagnation, confusion, or despair caused by poor choices (“senseless decisions” and “somebody’s wasted desire”). The imagery of “smoke,” “wind,” and “fire” suggests overcoming chaos and destruction to reach clarity and liberation.
[Chorus 3]
Spring lied to us this year again
I can’t stand to face that fear again
You could always laugh about those things
It’s enough to make a man feel sour
Burning minutes every day by the hour
Just to end up gone like everything else
The third chorus repeats themes of disillusionment with spring’s false promises and fear’s persistence. The speaker again contrasts their own emotional weight with another’s ability to laugh about life’s hardships. This repetition reinforces the cyclical nature of struggle and fleeting time.
Final Verse & Chorus
Remember the time
We were both eye to eye
And we both knew the reasons why
It seemed like we faced the world on our own
Before we collide
Can we just take a moment
Collecting reflections of this
And remember the paths that we chose
Spring lied to us again this year
And still, I can’t stand to face the fear
Will you always laugh about those things?
It’s enough to make a man feel sour
Burning minutes every day by the hour
Just to end up gone like everything else
The final verse repeats the opening lines, bringing the song full circle. This repetition emphasizes reflection on past choices while acknowledging how these moments shaped their journey. The last chorus reiterates feelings of disillusionment, fear, and impermanence but leaves room for interpretation—whether this cycle will continue or if there is hope for breaking free.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Away From the Mire”
“Away From the Mire” by Billy Strings is a deeply personal and introspective song that explores themes of time, regret, and the struggle to move forward in life. The song’s title itself is metaphorical, with “mire” representing the emotional and psychological burdens that can trap us in negative patterns of thinking and behavior.
The lyrics reflect on past experiences and relationships, acknowledging the weight of memories and the passage of time. There’s a sense of longing for connection and understanding, as well as a recognition of the fleeting nature of life. The repeated references to spring lying “to us this year again” suggest a cyclical disappointment or disillusionment, perhaps with life not meeting expectations or hopes.
At its core, “Away From the Mire” is about the human struggle to let go of past pain and move forward. The song encourages listeners to “let go of the pain and hold onto the rhythm,” suggesting that focusing on the present moment and finding joy in life’s simple pleasures can be a path to healing. It also warns against dwelling too much on the past, noting that it can “creep up inside you” and become the source of current troubles.
The song’s musical structure, which builds from a reflective acoustic opening to a more intense, almost psychedelic sound, mirrors the emotional journey described in the lyrics. This progression represents the turbulent process of confronting one’s past and striving to break free from its constraints.
Ultimately, “Away From the Mire” is a call for self-reflection and growth. It acknowledges the difficulties of life while offering hope for transcendence. The song resonates with many listeners because it touches on universal experiences of struggle, self-doubt, and the desire for personal transformation.
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