Roslyn (feat. St. Vincent)

The song 'Roslyn' by Bon Iver featuring St. Vincent is a hauntingly beautiful track that delves into themes of existential dread and the inevitability of change. The lyrics paint a picture of a person grappling with the fear of the unknown and the futility of trying to shield oneself from life's uncertainties. The opening lines, 'Up with your turret / Aren't we just terrified?' suggest a defensive stance against the world, likening the person to a castle turret on high alert. The use of 'shale' to 'screen your worry' further emphasizes the attempt to hide one's fears behind a facade.

The chorus, 'Don't let it fool you / Don't let it fool you down,' serves as a reminder not to be deceived by appearances or succumb to the weight of one's anxieties. The imagery of dancing, the sea, and the undertow alludes to the natural ebb and flow of life and the forces beyond our control. The song conveys a sense of surrender to these forces, as seen in the lines 'Wings wouldn't help you / Wings wouldn't help you down.' This suggests that even the ability to fly or escape wouldn't change the fundamental reality of life's challenges.

The latter part of the song touches on the theme of mortality with the question, 'When'd this just become a mortal home?' It reflects a moment of realization that life is fleeting and that we are all bound by the same fate. The repetition of 'Won't' in the lyrics emphasizes a stubborn refusal to be brought down by these realizations, suggesting a resilience in the face of life's harsh truths. Overall, 'Roslyn' is a contemplative piece that invites listeners to reflect on their own vulnerabilities and the beauty that can be found in embracing them.