Song meaning of Cedar by Ethel Cain

"Cedar" by Ethel Cain is a haunting and poignant song that delves into themes of abandonment, loss, and the struggle to find a sense of home and belonging. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a family in turmoil, with the father absent in the woods for days and the mother dying, leaving the narrator, a nine-year-old child, to fend for themselves. The opening lines of the song set a somber tone, with the narrator lamenting the absence of their father and the deteriorating health of their mother: "Daddy’s been in the woods for three days, While mother’s dying where she lays."

The chorus of the song highlights the sense of helplessness and confusion experienced by the narrator and their younger siblings, who are only nine months old. The repeated line "Two little voices crying out, No one knows what about" conveys the children's distress and the lack of understanding or support they receive in their time of need. The question posed in the chorus, "Where do you go when home’s not home?" speaks to the emotional disconnection and instability within the family unit.

The outro of the song, with the repeated line "And no one knows," reinforces the sense of isolation and abandonment that permeates the lyrics. The repetition of this line suggests a feeling of hopelessness and a lack of resolution for the narrator and their siblings, as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a fractured and troubled household. Overall, "Cedar" by Ethel Cain is a powerful and evocative song that explores the complexities of family dynamics and the search for a place to call home amidst adversity.