I looked up the lyric meanings & found a few things that could ring true here-
I snipped the first commenter a lil to take out the lyrics as you have them above already. But this all really gives you food for thought....
http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107859437373/
My Interpretation:This may sound absurd but when I first listened to this song, I knew it had religious themes and I interpret it to being about waiting for intimacy until marriage. In the first stanza, I see a submission to God as a result of being broken from hurt of the past. The new sun represents a new chapter in life as a result of days of dust which I believe represents emptiness and redundancy of the past failures of love.
This next stanza I believe represents prayer and submission to God.
This next stanza, I will wait for you could possibly be stating that they will wait for their true love. I think it represents a message that waiting to make love to your one true love is worth the wait and the pain involved with not waiting isnt worth it. I think a lot of us can relate to the pain of a broken relationship and the pain from the lack of love in promiscuous relationships.
I think that this is asking God to help break my step and relent. The lyrics well you forgave, and I wont forget refers to Jesus Christs forgiveness and mercy on sin and thankfulness of it. Know what weve see refers to how God knows your past just as much as you do. Him with less I believe is referring to lack of virginity and less of what is to offer to your one true love. Now in some way shake the excess is referring to washing away of sins.
The next stanza I believe refers to a learned lesson taught only through past experience and regret. A desire to repent and a desire to now wait for that perfect person.
The next stanza: now I'll be bold as well as strong I believe conveys a desire to be bold about this new choice in life and strong behind this decision. And use my head alongside my heart, is stating a desire to think before acting on love.
This next line is the dead giveaway. The flesh which is repeatedly a symbolic reference used in the bible. Ill use this quote because I see it as appropriate
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity
Galatians 5:19. So tame my flesh I believe is a prayer to God to help fight the desires of the flesh to commit sexual immorality or impurity. Fix my eyes is a plea for purity and innocence. A tethered mind freed from lies is referring to the rope of sexuality society has wrapped around us all. Society makes us believe that sexual immorality is happiness but it is all a bunch of lies.
In the next stanza, Raise my hands refers to raising hands in worship. Paint my spirit gold is a plea to God to purify ones spirit. Bow my head refers to submission to God and realization that his warning to us to not commit sexual immorality was just and true. Keep my heart slow is a prayer to God to help him be patient.
From what I have heard, Mumford & Sons have in some way been influenced by Christianity.
This is a very powerful song and they are so blessed. My interpretation really helps me feel not alone in this world of sexual immorality. Please respect my ideas!
FlaggedAlivia2on February 12, 2013 Link
General Comment:I think song means that when he he proposed she said no. He is going to wait for her anyway. He will be there for when she is ready to wed.
Flaggedsannyson December 25, 2012 Link
My Interpretation:To me the song is about prison..
He came home like a stone.. His first day in.
And fell heavy into your arms.. Sideways on the shower floor maybe.
You forgave and I won't forget.. His wife sees him regularly..
I will wait I will wait.. Self explanatory
FlaggedJackPoonon January 08, 2013 Link
**My apologies for such an extremely long post!