Where Is Your Rider
The Oh Hellos Lyrics
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Were you there to bedevil and beguile?
See, your face wasn't quite as I remember
But I know that wicked shape to your smile
Bury me as it pleases you, lover
At sea, or deep within the catacomb
But these bones never rested while living
So how can they stand to languish in repose?
He has thrown down the cavalry as gravel sinks
And as the stone founders underneath the sundered sea of red and reed
The shadow of Hades is fading
For he has cast down leviathan, the tyrant, and the horse and rider
Where is your rider?
He will hold with all of his might the armies of night,
Still as boulders laid to the side 'til we pass by
He has hoisted out of the mire every child
So lift your voice with timbrel and lyre
"We will abide, we will abide, we will abide"
The Oh Hellos' song Where Is Your Rider is a beautiful and haunting piece that tells a story of bravery and resilience in the face of adversity. The song opens with the question, "Was it you 'mid the fire and the ember?" which suggests that the singer is confronting a figure who may have caused harm in the past. The second line, "Were you there to bedevil and beguile?" further reinforces this suspicion. However, despite the ambiguity and the uncertainty, the singer does recognize the person's "wicked shape to your smile," lending some authenticity to the encounter.
The first verse ends with the potent lines, "Bury me as it pleases you, lover / At sea, or deep within the catacomb / But these bones never rested while living / So how can they stand to languish in repose?" Here, the singer confronts their own mortality and boldly asserts that they refuse to be still even in death. The second verse presents a dramatic scene where a hero has thrown down a cavalry as gravel sinks, and as the stone founders underneath the sundered sea of red and reed, the shadow of Hades is fading. The imagery of destruction and havoc is overwhelming, but it leaves room for hope as the hero casts down leviathan, the tyrant, the horse, and rider.
The chorus offers a simple yet powerful question: "Where is your rider?" implying that the singer doubts the person's ability to control their own fate. The final verse offers a comforting image of a hero who will hold with all of his might the armies of night, still as boulders laid to the side 'til we pass by. The hero has hoisted out of the mire every child and calls upon the singer, and the listener, to lift their voice with timbrel and lyre to affirm that "we will abide." In the end, the song becomes a call to action, an invitation to join the ranks of the brave and the resilient.
Line by Line Meaning
Was it you 'mid the fire and the ember?
Were you present during the chaos and destruction, causing trouble and enchantment?
Were you there to bedevil and beguile?
Were you there to mislead and charm others?
See, your face wasn't quite as I remember
Your appearance has changed since the last time I saw you.
But I know that wicked shape to your smile
Despite the change in appearance, the malicious intent behind your grin remains unmistakable.
Bury me as it pleases you, lover
Dispose of my remains in any way you desire, my dear.
At sea, or deep within the catacomb
Either at the ocean floor or a hidden underground tomb.
But these bones never rested while living
My bones were never at peace during my life.
So how can they stand to languish in repose?
So how can I rest in peace now that I am dead?
He has thrown down the cavalry as gravel sinks
He has defeated the enemy's troops as easily as stones sinking in the water.
And as the stone founders underneath the sundered sea of red and reed
As the army falls to the ground and the blood flows like a river.
The shadow of Hades is fading
The darkness of death is disappearing.
For he has cast down leviathan, the tyrant, and the horse and rider
He has defeated the powerful enemy leaders and their army.
Where is your rider?
Where is the one who controls the enemy army?
He will hold with all of his might the armies of night,
He will fight with all his strength against the forces of darkness.
Still as boulders laid to the side 'til we pass by
Steady like rocks as we move past him.
He has hoisted out of the mire every child
He has saved every vulnerable and innocent person.
So lift your voice with timbrel and lyre
Celebrate with music and song.
"We will abide, we will abide, we will abide"
"We will persist, we will remain, we will endure"
Writer(s): HEATH WILLIAM TYLER, HEATH HANNAH MARGARET
Contributed by Jordyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.