Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a vivid, almost dreamlike picture of an encounter in a forest. The opening lines establish a cinematic quality, with the subject seen "roaming" among "evergreens" and appearing to "float." This imagery creates a sense of ethereal beauty and detachment from reality, setting a mystical tone for the scene.
The central tension arises from a powerful, perhaps overwhelming, invitation. The narrator is called to "lay yourself down" and responds by leaning "into the wind and drown." This act suggests a surrender, a willingness to be consumed by something immense and possibly dangerous, yet also alluring. The repetition of "I leaned, I leaned" emphasizes the deliberate, almost desperate nature of this submission.
The recurring image of the "evergreens" and the "western sky" grounds the surreal experience in a specific, albeit romanticized, landscape. The contrast between the natural setting and the almost supernatural feeling of the subject's presence – described as "heaven descended down" – highlights the profound impact of this encounter. The act of "drowning" in the wind is a striking metaphor for complete immersion, losing oneself in the experience or the person.
Ultimately, the narrator acknowledges the difficulty of this profound connection, stating, "Loving the wind ain't easy / But I still try." This final admission reveals the ongoing struggle and commitment despite the overwhelming nature of the experience, suggesting a deep, perhaps unrequited or challenging, devotion to this powerful, wind-like force or entity.