Marcus Mumford
Cannibal
“Like lots of people, and I’m learning more and more about this as we go and as I play it to people, I was sexually abused as a child,” Mumford told GQ. “Not by family and not in the church, which might be some people’s assumption. But I hadn’t told anyone about it for 30 years.” Mumford was six years old when the abuse took place. During lockdown, the Mumford & Sons frontman’s parents moved in next door, and shared a wall with his recording studio. He and his mum later spoke about the track after he played her its direct, gut-wrenching opening lyrics for the first time: “I can still taste you and I hate it/That wasn't a choice in the mind of a child and you knew it.” “Couple of days later, [she said] ‘Can I ask what that song’s about?’” Mumford recalled. “I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s about the abuse thing.’ She was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ So once we get through the trauma of that moment for her, as a mother, hearing that and her wanting to protect and help and all that stuff, it’s objectively f*cking hilarious to tell your mum about your abuse in a f*cking song, of all things.” That conversation sparked much of Mumford’s forthcoming solo record, and the artist says he knew afterwards that “Cannibal” needed to be the opening track. Lyrics: [quote]I can still taste you and I hate it That wasn't a choice in the mind of a child and you knew it You took the first slice of me and you ate it raw Ripped it in with your teeth and your lips like a cannibal You f*cking animal I can still taste you and it kills me That there's still some sick part of it that thrills me That my own body keeps betraying me There is such power there, it may destroy me But it compels me Of course I deny it Can hardly believe it Dismiss or demean it 'Cause I know I can't speak it But when I began to tell, it became thе hardest thing I ever said out loud Thе words got locked in my throat Man, I choked And this is what it feels like to be free Even though it follows back down Stares into the dark with me Even then I deny it Can hardly believe it Dismiss or demean it But I know I must speak it If I could forgive you now Release you from all of the blame I know how If I could forgive you now As if saying the words will help me know how To begin again Help me know how to begin Help me know how To begin again Help me know how To begin again Begin again[/quote]