Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Dyin Day” by Anaïs Mitchell
The folk song “Dyin’ Day” by Anaïs Mitchell tells the story of a person who has “run out time” and is waiting for “the final bell that rings”. The song seems to refer to the inevitability of death and how life can be a struggle, but at the same time there can be moments of beauty and hope.
The opening lyrics seem to evoke a sense of resignation and acceptance towards death: “There’s a bell inside of me that’s often ringing/It drags me down, it drags me around.” The use of the phrase “bell” can also be seen as a metaphor for time, signifying the time that we have in life is finite and cannot be reversed. This is further highlighted by the line “There’s an hourglass inside of me that never stops running”, which can be interpreted as a reminder that no matter how hard we try, time will always go on and eventually life must come to an end.
However, the song is not all doom and gloom, there is also a sense of optimism and beauty found in the song. It acknowledges that life may be difficult, and death is inevitable, but it also acknowledges the beauty of the present moment, “There’s a river beside me, swift and wide/Carrying birds, carrying trees and carrying me”, thus reminding us to appreciate the moments in life that can be enjoyed and savored.
In conclusion, “Dyin’ Day” is a song that juxtaposes the inevitability of death with the beauty and joy of life. Although death is a constant presence, it allows us to savor each moment of life and appreciate its beauty. Ultimately, the song encourages us to take delight in every small moment because, in the end, they all add up to something bigger.