This my excavation and today is Kumran
Everything that happens is from now on
These lines open “re: stacks,” the final song on Bon Iver’s debut, For Emma, Forever Ago. Kumran (usually spelled “Qumran”) is the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. It symbolizes a personal catharsis for Justin Vernon, the band’s sole member; Vernon retreated to his father’s Wisconsin log cabin for three months to record the album, chop wood, and generally be alone. He explains the Kumran metaphor himself here:
When they found them it changed the whole course of Christianity, whether people wanted to know it or not. A lot of people chose to ignore it, a lot of people decided to run with it, and for many people it destroyed their faith, so I think I was just looking at it as a metaphor for whatever happens after that is new shit.
The song also hints at a slow shedding of the skin, rather than a complete catharsis. In the last verse, Vernon sings:
This is not the sound of a new man or crispy realization
It’s the sound of the unlocking and the lift away
Your love will be safe with me
It’s not a “crispy realization” or a click of a lock in the door — a clean break from the past. In the final line he says that some of the past’s love will continue with him, like a pendant or a memory that won’t fade.
Not convinced? Vernon’s mom, Justine Vernon (real name, we assume), totally agrees. In this very adorable feature featuring several “indie rock moms” she says, “To me, it is not about getting over things and moving forward, it is about going through the sadness, taking some of it with you and being made whole because of it. I cry every time I listen to it.”
What’s good enough for Mrs. Vernon is good enough for us.
13 responses so far ↓
towsithoac // August 15, 2008 at 12:04 pm |
One of my very favorite songs. I hadn’t heard that stuff about his mom. That’s awesome.
stevie disco // September 5, 2008 at 6:54 pm |
Just been listening to re: stacks – it’s sort of become a habit to listen to it before heading to bed, when I am feeling wistful. Puzzled by the lyrics, I looked them up elsewhere – still puzzled by the definition of kumran, I looked at this and it’s an eloquent exposition, for which I thank thee kindly, Mr Wordsworth. I can’t wait to see Bon Iver at the End of the Road Festival. Keep up the good work. Right, back to the dance floor. Stevie Disco
Amber // September 18, 2008 at 8:29 pm |
I listen to this song on repeat… reading the words (i have the vinyl) and crying. It’s not just the beauty of the melody…the sway and carry of his voice, but I feel like I’m feeling *exactly* the way he was feeling. I found this when I started searching for the meaning of Kumran… I stumbled on the Qumran definition as well as an urban slang definition of Kumran (a replacement for the word gimp, used in Sri Lanka). What Vernon’s mom said, it’s not about getting over thins, it’s the perfect caption to sum up my life this year… thus far anyway. It’s one of those years when the universe really just brings the shit down hard on you. It’s good. I’ll know myself so much better.
Anyway, this song has been a constant comfort and I’m glad to bring further meaning to it.
Thank you, honestly.
hearts and thoughts in OK.
Martin // October 19, 2008 at 3:46 pm |
One of my favourite songs, hearing it live was even better, this song is just so completely stuffed with emotion… This song gives me goosebumps each time I hear it. Definitely a keeper!
Emily // December 10, 2008 at 1:57 pm |
I’ve been listening to this song on repeat for the past 2 weeks. Thank you for your eloquent explanation of its lyrics. “I cry every time I listen to it.” – Same for me.
-e
paul // December 16, 2008 at 2:44 pm |
I listened to this album a lot throughout the last year. I listened so much I sought out other things that had been a part of Justin Vernon. DeYarmond Edison, Hazeltons, live tracks, and his Self-titled put out in 2006. This self titled cd put some things in my head about Justin Vernon that has made me hear For Emma in a different light entirely. Find that CD. Listen to Sides. Listen to For Emma Forever Ago. I think some new ideas might come from this.
ren // February 1, 2009 at 7:04 pm |
on new year’s eve in ljubljana, i cried, too – for different reasons – while this song played in the background. he asked me, “why are you sad?,” and i didn’t know what to say. the song seemed to strum the final whiteness of endings and the delicate pain of very, very beginnings. all at once. not only mine, but every beginning and ending in every place, for every lover…
now THAT’S good songwriting.
jim // February 3, 2009 at 9:14 am |
we all sang together with the band to close out their show at the fly by night club recently – a moment of collective bliss with For Emma the finale! Beautiful.
the most beautiful song: bon iver stacks « the most beautiful thing // March 18, 2009 at 11:09 pm |
[...] There’s a really nice post about the lyric meanings with a quote from Justin’s mother and explanation of the “kumran” inclusion at Wordsworth blog. [...]
Olivia // March 27, 2009 at 11:54 pm |
i love this song. bon iver has given me peace recently in my time of despair, confusion and utter chaos.
i was curious about the kumran & this pretty much sums it up. thank you.
i always listen before i fall alseep.
i will always love bon iver.
the music is beautiful.
Bon Iver–Re: Stacks « Chimney Smoke // May 27, 2009 at 1:58 pm |
[...] for a good look behind the scenes, head over to Wordsworth. What a great [...]
Sandkastle // June 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
Monster thanks to you Wordsworth. This line in particular has piqued my interest since enjoying this sensational album, though personally I connect the reference to Qumran with an excavation of self, the unearthing of a profound insight which amounts to the same kind of contentious treasure. My take on the final stanza differs slightly to yours too, but that’s part of the magic isn’t it? Whatever the significance of these wonderful lyrics to Vernon, they produce diverse catharses for his fans-a thousand ways to love the one thing. Cheers WW.
Sarah // June 24, 2009 at 11:15 pm |
Googled “the meaning of Re: Stacks” and found your blog. I’m finding that I’m listening to this song on repeat too, like so many others…in my case: in the midst of my own semi-retreat of going-on-four months. I like what WW had to say about excavation of self…
Serendipitous.