Horses

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a speaker alone, recalling a vivid memory of someone's "peals Of laughter." This joyful image immediately contrasts with a quiet sense of introspection and longing. There's a subtle questioning of where feelings truly reside, setting an intimate, vulnerable tone. A deep yearning for connection drives much of the narrative, evident in the desperate plea, "Telephone, telephone, please." This isolation fuels a central tension: the speaker struggles to discern external reality from internal anxiety. The sound of approaching footsteps could be a real "horse" fleeing "unknown danger," or simply the speaker's "heart beating so noisily." This ambiguity highlights a mind grappling with fear and anticipation. The most striking craft element lies in the ambiguous "horse" imagery, which remains unresolved. It's unclear if the approaching sound signifies a real, external threat or merely the speaker's own racing pulse. This uncertainty is echoed by the earlier "bell" motif: the memory of laughter is linked to "The bell I ring to call" the beloved. The lyrics cleverly intertwine cherished memory with active summoning, creating a sense of longing that spans time. These lyrics resonate by capturing the profound human experience of waiting and longing. The speaker's patient observation of the sun and moon transforms the mundane passage of time into a ritual of anticipation.