Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “No Oath, No Spell” by Murder By Death
Murder By Death’s ‘No Oath, No Spell’ is a song about lamenting past mistakes while simultaneously holding out hope for a better future. The lyrics, portraying a story of regret and redemption, are set to the band’s trademark solemn, melancholic backdrop of acoustic guitar and solemn vocal delivery.
The beginning of the song sets up a protagonist stuck in a difficult and perhaps self-inflicted situation. They have made mistakes and feel as though they are paying a heavy price, unable to make things right with “no oath, no spell, no prayer”. Nevertheless, they recognize the importance of taking responsibility for their wrongdoings and strive to find a way to forgive themselves: “Lay my head in the bed that I made/ I can’t promise my problems away.”
Although they are still constrained by the consequences of their actions, the speaker is optimistic that they can use the painful experience of reflecting on their mistakes as a means to create a better life for themselves. In the second verse, they emphasize that they are willing to confront their darker emotions in order to start anew: “Open my eyes to fear and sadness/ Tear down my walls ‘til I’m making progress.”
The chorus is an assertion of resilience and continued commitment to self-improvement. Although they still seem uncertain of what lies ahead, they have found the courage to persist and stay the course: “On a broken path, I walk alone/ Don’t worry, I don’t plan to go home.”
Ultimately, ‘No Oath, No Spell’ is a song of honest introspection and embodiment of personal growth. When things become difficult, the speaker in the song remarks that they are willing to take responsibility for their mistakes, accept the consequences, and continue to strive for redemption.