Song Meaning
The lyrics immediately plunge into a past that feels intensely present, with "what was before" still so near. A collective "we" has undergone a significant reduction, seemingly to a primal state. There's a palpable sense of consequence and a lingering shadow over the present. This sets a melancholic tone right from the start.
The core tension lies between a lost "before" and a present defined by regret. The phrase "reduced ourselves, to the earth" suggests a humbling, perhaps even a self-inflicted fall from a prior, more elevated state. This stark imagery sets up the subsequent mention of banishment, implying a severe penalty or exile from a place that was once home.
The "warmth of wooden lanterns" stands out as a poignant image. It's a humble, perhaps temporary, comfort — "light that we first felt" *after* being cast out. This isn't a grand return to glory, but a small, earned solace in the aftermath of a profound loss, highlighting the stark contrast between what was and what now exists. The specific, rustic nature of "wooden lanterns" suggests a simpler, less opulent existence post-banishment.
What makes these lyrics resonate is the direct, almost blunt admission in the final lines: "we chose a life of regret." This isn't just a lament for what's lost ("what is not ours"), but an acknowledgment of agency in their current sorrow. The collective "we" carries the weight of this decision, making the regret feel deeply personal and inescapable, rather than merely a consequence of external forces.
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