Meaning of "The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid" by The Decemberists

The lyrics illustrate the complex dynamic between parent and child, depicting the constant tug-of-war between the desire for independence and the need for nurturing and protection. The mother symbolizes a figure who has selflessly cared for and protected her child, only to feel unacknowledged and unappreciated when the child seeks freedom. The son, on the other hand, represents the natural inclination towards independence and self-discovery, even at the cost of rejecting the care and sacrifices of the parent. The negotiation of freedom for a night highlights the delicate balance of love, duty, and autonomy in the parent-child relationship, emphasizing the eternal cycle of wanting and repaying in familial bonds.