[Narrator:]
“So apropos
Saw death on a sunny snow”
[Him:]
“For every life…”
[Her:]
“Forgo the parable”
[Him:]
“Seek the light”
[Her:]
“…my knees are cold”
Running home
Running home
Running home
Running home
[Her:]
“Go find another lover
To bring a- to string along!”
“With all your lies
You’re still very lovable”
“I toured the light
So many foreign roads
For Emma, forever ago”
Exploring the Heartache and Hope in “For Emma”
“For Emma” by Bon Iver is a hauntingly beautiful piece that weaves together imagery of coldness, departure, and emotional reckoning. The lyrics, delivered through overlapping voices, capture the aftermath of a relationship’s end, with lines referencing lies, loneliness, and the longing for resolution. The refrain of “running home” echoes a desire to return to safety and familiarity, while the alternating perspectives suggest a dialogue between estranged lovers. The song’s tone is both mournful and forgiving, culminating in the poignant line: “For Emma, forever ago,” evoking a sense of timeless loss and the bittersweet acceptance of moving on.
Song Credits
- Artist: Bon Iver
- Songwriter: Justin Vernon
- Release Year: 2008
- Label: Jagjaguwar