Friday, September 28, 2012

Mumford & Sons "Below My Feet" and Julian of Norwich

So, like about 100,000 other people, I bought Mumford & Sons' new album, "Babel," this week and have been listening to it pretty much nonstop.

But something caught my brain this morning on my way to work as I was listening to the penultimate track-- "Below My Feet."

It's giving off a very Julian of Norwich vibe.

Take a listen and check out the lyrics.



Below My Feet lyrics

You were cold as the blood through your bones
And the light which led us from our chosen homes
Oh, I was lost.
So now I sleep
Sleep the hours that I don't weep
And all I knew was steeped in blackened holes
Oh, I was lost

Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak
Let me learn from where I have been
Keep my eyes to serve
My hands to learn

Well I was still
But I was under your spell
But I was told by Jesus
All was well
So all must be well
Just give me time
You know your desires and mine
So wrap my flesh in ivy and in twine
For I must be well

Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak
Let me learn from where I have been
Keep my eyes to serve my hands to learn
Keep my eyes to serve my hands to learn

Exhibit A: Blood imagery-- Julian's visions were quite graphic.
Exhibit B: Sleep-- Julian was quite sick, and yes, slept a lot. Her visions also took the form of dreams.
Exhibit C: "I was told by Jesus / All was well / So all must be well" -- Probably Julian's most famous quote, which she received from Jesus in a vision, is "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."

What do you guys think?

4 comments:

  1. The whole album is so full of spirituality and you're right about this one, Julian influences, how didnt i notice! Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment--I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it!

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  2. I've been listening to it non stop as well. Something about their sound just makes me happy and there seems to be little mentions of faith snuck in here and there. I'm diggin' it

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  3. YES! I totally noticed that as well.

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