The lyrics of "This Empty Northern Hemisphere" by Gregory Alan Isakov describe a desolate town where vagabonds roam. The summer has left, and the cottonwood trees are worn out. Nightfall brings a sense of solitude and the universe reigns once again. The wheels keep turning, casting a flickering light. In the narrator's absence, they metaphorically walled up their loved one's kingdom with radio wires. The bells of the choir resonate with a low and rumbling sound. The narrator reminisces about living in a city on fire, but assures that they have been fine, dancing above the streets like a ghost. They even call out from the churchyard. The lyrics end with the narrator contemplating finding another place to call home, while noting the downfall and disintegration of their previous kingdom.

Meaning of "This Empty Northern Hemisphere" by Gregory Alan Isakov

The lyrics of "This Empty Northern Hemisphere" encompass themes of desolation, loneliness, and the passage of time. The opening lines evoke an image of smoke emitted from whisky mouths, setting a tone of a worn-down, transient town. The presence of vagabonds further emphasizes the transitory nature of their existence. The departure of summer suggests a loss of warmth, joy, and vitality. The worn-out cottonwood trees serve as a metaphor for the weariness and exhaustion that permeate the surroundings.

As night falls, there is a sense of solitude and the vastness of the universe becomes apparent. The repetition of the wheels rolling signifies the passage of time, while the flickering light creates an ambiance of uncertainty and impermanence. The narrator's actions of walling up their loved one's kingdom with radio wires symbolize a self-imposed separation and communication barrier. This act may reflect a desire to protect their loved one from the struggles and challenges of their own world. The low and rumbling sound of the choir's bells emphasizes the melancholic tone and highlights the contrast between the narrator's internal struggles and the outside world.

The reference to living in a city on fire could be seen as a metaphor for being caught in the chaos and emotional turmoil of life. However, the narrator claims to be fine, suggesting a sense of resilience or detachment. They compare themselves to a ghost, implying a sense of emptiness and detachment from their surroundings. Calling out from the steeples in the churchyard further underscores their detachment and the longing for connection.

The lyrics conclude with the narrator's contemplation of leaving their current situation and finding a new place to call home. The phrase "it all fell to dust" suggests a sense of disillusionment and the crumbling of their previous kingdom. This could represent a realization that their previous sense of stability was temporary or illusory. Overall, the lyrics explore themes of transience, detachment, and the search for meaning and belonging in a changing and often desolate world.