Meaning of "Slow Cruel Hands Of Time" by Band Of Horses

The song "Slow Cruel Hands of Time" by Band of Horses explores the theme of time and its impact on the narrator's life. The opening lines, "The biding of time getting stuck in my mind is a boat to roll. / Two hours later, back in my neighborhood where everything just stalled," suggest a sense of restlessness and the feeling of being stuck in a monotonous routine. The narrator returns to their hometown, which still looks the same, evoking feelings of nostalgia and familiarity. They mention how people still remember their name, highlighting a longing for a sense of belonging and connection.

The lyrics also introduce the idea of a "big city man" from the narrator's high school days. This characterization may symbolize the pressures and challenges of life, the struggle with external expectations, or the inevitable changes that occur as time passes. The line "The slow cruel hands of time" metaphorically describes how time can gradually change and shape an individual's life, turning them into "molten lava," which can be interpreted as feeling overwhelmed or transformed by time's passing.

Moving forward, the song shifts its focus to a specific place, described as "a place on the rise" where one can stop momentarily. This place lacks street lamps and is nearly vacant except for three buildings. The reference to the police and the line "The packs feeling heavy and soon the night" hint at a sense of unease or impending danger.

The lyrics further emphasize the challenges faced in life, such as the grinding axle and pulling into the wrong drive. This could symbolize wrong decisions or forks in the road that lead to unexpected outcomes. The mention of the sky in the yard and the fall being like "stringy cotton candy" evoke vivid imagery and a sense of fleeting beauty. The line "The slow climb, the hard the fall. Sometimes I don't want it at all" conveys a weariness and questioning of the difficulties and uncertainties in life.

The song ends with the narrator being falsely accused by the sheriff's department, further highlighting the unjust and unpredictable nature of the world. The reference to wind through the fall (fog[?]) and the line "Turning you back into a child" suggest a loss of innocence or the feeling of going backward in time due to the challenges and hardships faced throughout life.

Overall, "Slow Cruel Hands of Time" delves into the universal experience of the passage of time and its impact on an individual's life. It examines themes of nostalgia, longing, struggle, and the unpredictability of existence.