I completely agree with you. I think Bon Iver's lyrics in this song really capture the confusion and hurt he's feeling about this lost relationship. In the 2nd verse he talks about how he's prepared to cut off all ties with this woman, and start a fresh, to then say in the next breath that 'this orders tall', obviously having doubts. This is someone who he is completely inlove with, but just find any common ground with. He wants to let go but just can't. I think in the chorus he's angry, he obviously wanted things to work, he told her to be kind, patient etc. She obviously carried on being volatile and he's angry she didn't change her ways because slowly the relationship is slipping away. This song is really moving and Bon Iver's lyrics are clever with many hidden meanings and connotations. Beautiful song.

I think theres alot of hidden meaning behind the lyrics of this song! I think by just reading the first verse its about a guy who really loves a girl (maybe a friend? Or an associate?) 'i want in, like a substitute' he wants to be a stand-in or replacement lover. 'i've been working awful hard for you, but you don't say you just hold your breath'. He's putting in alot of time for her, but she doesn't appreciate or understand this? She obviously does'nt feel the same way as he does? I think the chorus he's trying to persuade himself that things are better the way they are, 'we'd be so free, happy alone' because otherwise things would get too complicated, friends who become lovers often lead to complications/. In the second chorus he admits that he doesn't want to be just friends, 'making a song, making me lie'. 'It's the hard part but the true love way'= now admitting he loves her, and even though he wishes they could have something more he knows its for the best. 'She's wanted like wanted man'= he wants her like a wanted man. Maybe this is a stereotypical take on the song? But to me the lyrics are quite close to home, alot of the lyrics remind me of my thoughts in a previous relationship. I think caleb is very clever at writing lyrics, he uses alot of hidden meanings and connotations.