Music video analysis

MUMFORD & SONS – LOVER OF THE LIGHT

LYRIC ANALYSISAnd in the middle of the nightI may watch you go. There'll be no value in the strengthof walls that I have grown.

There'll be no comfort in the shadeof the shadows thrownBut I'd be yours if you'd be mine

Stretch out my lifeand pick the seams outTake what you likebut close my ears and eyesWatch me stumble over and over

I have done wrongyou built your towerBut call me homeand I will build a throneAnd wash my eyes out never again

But love the one you holdAnd I'll be your goldTo have and to holdA lover of the light

Skin too tightand eyes like marblesYou spin me highso watch me as I glideBefore I tumble homeward, homeward

I know I've triedI was not stableAnd flawed by prideI miss my sanguine eyesSo hold my hands up -- breathe in, and breathe out

So love the one you holdAnd I'll be your goldTo have and to holdA lover of the light

And in the middle of the nightI may watch you goThere'll be no value in the strengthof walls that I have grownThere'll be no comfort in the shadeof the shadows thrownYou may not trust the promisesof the change I'll showBut I'd be yours if you'd be mine

So love the one you holdAnd I will be your goldTo have and to holdA lover of the lightSo love the one you holdAnd I will be your goldTo have and to holdA lover of the light

The analytical result I have of these lyrics overall translate a story of a man who is on the journey of looking for forgiveness and love he has previously lost. I found that this could be interpreted both as a religious request or a romantic plead for forgiveness from a lover he has mistreated in the past. Furthermore, I feel as though the lyrics may be a reflection of the artists’ own experiences and feelings whilst the music video Is a visualisation of the journey. From the lyrics, I infer that the narrator (whether or not the artist itself) has committed sins in the past and is regretful , desperate to regain the light he lost.

This could be referring to when the narrator let his lover go and he pretended not to care. However, he now realises that the wall he built wasn’t real strength but a false shield used as a defence mechanism

• The music video begins with a wide shot, revealing the location/ setting and an introduction of a reindeer. The wide shot is used to portray a peaceful setting by allowing the audience to see a large amount of space only taken up by nature and wildlife. These are commonly evident themes used within the Indie/folk genre and connote tranquil and positive thoughts, which supports the conventional type of messages Indie/ folk artists like to communicate through their music, ,of often un-materialistic, raw or personal experiences/feelings towards a particular situation.

• I think the use of a reindeer in the first shot of the music video effectively relates to the main concept of the lyrics and narrative. From previous analysis of the lyrics, I believe the song is about a spiritual request for forgiveness and freedom. The reindeer symbolizes the religious aspect of gaining strength and leadership, as it is most associated with at Christmas season. Moreover, reindeers represent journeying, wandering, safe travels and endurance, therefore representing him regaining the freedom he lost by abandoning his cane and wholeheartedly following the light, which is also a religious association.

During the introduction of the music, the instrumental is played and various wide shots are used to highlight the amount of latitude available as well as extreme close ups. In two of the extreme close up shots, they are focused on the movement of the main characters hands. The characters movement is a slow spreading of his fingers, however both shots are in two different scenes and settings. On the face of it, the gesture doesn't seem out of the ordinary but once the narrative unravels, it becomes apparent that it is significant because it reveals the man's sensitivity with using his other senses such as touch, as he is unable to see.

Another set of corresponding extreme close up shots is of the reindeers eye closing and the main characters eyes opening as he wakes up. The singing begins as the reindeer's eye closes, this indicates a symbolism of a new start and the enlightenment of the character. This introduction works very well with the music as the tone of the music starts very calm and peaceful.

• Throughout the music video, Lover of the light, the characters movement becomes gradually more energetic as the paste of the music increases. This is evident in the kitchen scene where a wide shot reveals the man becoming more active where the lyrics in that particular section are sung faster. The blind man is seen preparing his breakfast, eating it and conversing with himself, this correlation between the character's movement and the paste of the music works effectively together.

• Also mise-en-scene is a major contribution to this scene, especially character's movement and props. A wide shot with artificial lighting is used to present him sat at the table, his body language starts to become more relaxed as he begins to converse to himself. His hand gestures and body language suggests he is finding amusing or funny as he raises his arms while chuckling to himself. Relating back to the lyric analysis I interpret this scene as him talking to God.

• Moreover, as the audience is unable to hear what is being said it creates a element of anticipation. Also it highlights the fact that he is the only person he can talk to therefore also relating back to my lyric analysis where this could be a reason for why he is asking for forgiveness and love, because he has done wrong in the past.

A various amount of household props were used to portray the quite luxurious lifestyle he lives, these included a massive country house, expensive furniture etc. I believe this is used to allow the main focus to remain on the primary struggle of this man's life , it gives the impression that although he lives comfortably, he still craves freedom, however feels he needs God's forgiveness to do so and until that moment , he hasn't been truly happy.