Witches

Song Meaning

The lyrics immediately plunge into a vivid scene where a narrator is called by "witches in the hills" to join a life of wild freedom. This supernatural invitation to "kiss the flame" and "ride the night wind" sets up an urgent, almost primal choice. It establishes a potent internal struggle between the allure of the unknown and the comfort of the familiar. The core emotional tension centers on the narrator's profound internal conflict, explicitly stating, "I shiver with delight, I shiver with fear." This duality highlights a heart that "wants to go" clashing with a "soul's filled with fear." The dilemma culminates in a direct plea to a lover: "Do I answer their call or stay here with you?" The lover's passive response becomes the pivotal turning point, described with a touch of ironic detachment: "under spell of deep sleep, he moans and turns away." This inaction effectively removes "his protection and my desire to stay," leaving the narrator unmoored and unchosen. The final stanza powerfully echoes the witches' initial invitation, as the narrator now actively "ride the night winds" and "make love to the darkness," fully embracing the once-feared freedom. These lyrics are effective because they chart a compelling journey of self-liberation, triggered by both external temptation and internal disillusionment. The vivid imagery of the witches' world contrasts sharply with the lover's inertness, making the narrator's ultimate choice feel less like a surrender to temptation and more like an assertive act of reclaiming agency. It's a potent narrative about choosing a wild, authentic self over a stagnant, unfulfilling connection.