Meaning of What He Wrote - Laura Marling

Laura Marling's song "What He Wrote" is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and longing, delving into the complexities of a relationship marked by separation and sacrifice. With lyrics rich in emotional depth, Marling crafts a narrative that resonates with listeners through its raw honesty and vulnerability.

At the onset, Marling invokes the Greek goddess Hera, symbolizing a plea for forgiveness and understanding amidst adversity. The protagonist, grappling with her inability to express her emotions, metaphorically alludes to her silenced voice, perhaps constrained by the circumstances of her relationship.

The line "Love me, oh, Lord! He threw me away" poignantly highlights the protagonist's feelings of abandonment and betrayal, underscoring the anguish of being cast aside by someone she loves. Despite the pain inflicted upon her, she finds herself entangled in a web of conflicting emotions, torn between love and resentment.

The recurring refrain "He wrote, 'I'm broke, please send for me'" echoes the protagonist's profound sense of brokenness and longing for reconciliation, mirroring her own fragmented state of being. This plea for connection serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of human relationships and the enduring hope for healing and redemption.

Throughout the song, Marling employs vivid imagery, such as the contrast between light and darkness symbolized by the skin tones of the protagonist and her lover. This imagery adds depth to the narrative, exploring the thematic dichotomy of purity and sin, innocence and guilt, and the moral ambiguity inherent in matters of the heart.

The protagonist's desperate plea for her lover to stay, juxtaposed with his inevitable departure, poignantly captures the transient nature of human connection and the heartache of unfulfilled promises. The repetition of the question "Where is the lamb that gave you your name?" underscores her longing for clarity and understanding amidst the tumult of emotions.

In the song's final verses, the protagonist resigns herself to the reality of her situation, finding solace in acceptance and resignation. The acknowledgment that "That suits us well" encapsulates the intricate dynamics of the relationship, fraught with contradictions and complexities. Through "What He Wrote," Laura Marling masterfully encapsulates the essence of love's turbulent journey, leaving listeners spellbound by its haunting beauty and profound introspection.