The Cave – English Lyrics

• By: Mumford & Sons
• Album: Sigh No More

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a journey of self-discovery with Mumford & Sons' iconic song, "The Cave". Delve into the rich metaphors and literary allusions, inspired by Plato's Allegory of the Cave and St. Francis of Assisi's spiritual awakening, and discover how this song encourages us to confront our inner struggles and seek a new perspective on life. Explore the depths of emotion and meaning woven into every lyric.

[English]

[INSECTS CHIRP] - [BIRD SQUAWKS]

♪ It's empty in the valley of your heart ♪

♪ The sun, it rises slowly as you walk ♪

♪ Away from all the fears ♪

♪ And all the faults you've left behind ♪

♪ The harvest left no food for you to eat ♪

♪ You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see ♪

♪ But I have seen the same ♪

♪ I know the shame in your defeat ♪

♪ But I will hold on hope ♪

♪ And I won't let you choke ♪

♪ On the noose around your neck ♪

♪ And I'll find strength in pain ♪

♪ And I will change my ways ♪

♪ I'll know my name as it's called again ♪

♪ 'Cause I have other things to fill my time ♪

♪ You take what is yours and I'll take mine ♪

♪ Now let me at the truth ♪

♪ Which will refresh my broken mind ♪

♪ So tie me to a post and block my ears ♪

♪ I can see widows and orphans through my tears ♪

♪ I know my call despite my faults ♪

♪ And despite my growing fears ♪

♪ But I will hold on hope ♪

♪ And I won't let you choke ♪

♪ On the noose around your neck ♪

♪ And I'll find strength in pain ♪

♪ And I will change my ways ♪

♪ I'll know my name as it's called again ♪

♪ So come out of your cave walking on your hands ♪

♪ And see the world hanging upside down ♪

♪ You can understand dependence ♪

♪ When you know the maker's land ♪

♪ So make your siren's call ♪

♪ And sing all you want ♪

♪ I will not hear what you have to say ♪

♪ 'Cause I need freedom now ♪

♪ And I need to know how ♪

♪ To live my life as it's meant to be ♪

♪ And I will hold on hope ♪

♪ And I won't let you choke ♪

♪ On the noose around your neck ♪

♪ And I'll find strength in pain ♪

♪ And I will change my ways ♪

♪ I'll know my name as it's called again ♪

[ENGINES RUMBLE]

[BIRD SQUAWKS]

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
valley /ˈvæli/ B1	noun - a low area of land between hills or mountains
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ in your chest that sends the blood around your body
sun /sʌn/ A1	noun - the star that provides light and heat to the Earth
fear /fɪr/ A2	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous
strength /strɛŋkθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being physically strong
pain /peɪn/ A2	noun - physical suffering or discomfort
truth /truːθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being in accordance with fact or reality
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ B2	noun - the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants
call /kɔːl/ A2	verb - to shout or speak to someone noun - a shout or cry
ways /weɪz/ B1	noun - methods or manners of doing something
cave /keɪv/ B2	noun - a large underground chamber
maker /ˈmeɪkər/ B2	noun - a person or thing that makes or produces something
defeat /dɪˈfiːt/ B2	noun - an instance of being defeated
orphan /ˈɔːrfən/ B2	noun - a child whose parents are dead
widow /ˈwɪdoʊ/ B2	noun - a woman whose spouse has died

Key Grammar Structures

• I have seen the same

  ➔ Present Perfect tense to describe an experience relevant to the present

  ➔ "have seen" indicates an experience that has relevance to the present moment

• And I will hold on hope

  ➔ Simple future tense to express determination or intention

  ➔ "will hold on" shows a strong intention to maintain hope

• So make your siren's call

  ➔ Imperative mood to give a command or suggestion

  ➔ Using the imperative "make" to give a direct command

• And see the world hanging upside down

  ➔ Verb phrase with present participle to describe an ongoing action or state

  ➔ Using "hanging" (present participle) to depict an ongoing condition

• And I need to know how

  ➔ Modal verb "need" + infinitive to express necessity or requirement

  ➔ "need" + base form of verb to express necessity or obligation

• And I will change my ways

  ➔ Simple future tense to indicate a personal decision or commitment

  ➔ "will change" expresses a personal decision to alter behavior in the future