Timshel

Album: Sigh No More (2009)
Charted: 71
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song was directly inspired by John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden, which parallels the Cain and Abel story in Genesis. The title is a Hebrew word which translates as "thou mayest" and the discovery in the book by a group of Chinese scholars of Timshel's proper meaning in connection with the Cain and Abel account is an important symbol in East Of Eden's storyline. Steinbeck points out this free will to make choices, which God has given mankind means that though we will not be able to overcome original sin, we may decide to ask for forgiveness for our sins.
  • Marcus Mumford said regarding the book's author to Q magazine: "Steinbeck is my favorite American author. I've even made a pilgrimage to his house in Salinas, California."
  • Other songs that have been inspired by East Of Eden include Anna Nalick's "Drink Me" Meg and Dia's "Monster." and Bruce Springsteen's "Adam Raised a Cain."
  • Whenever Mumford & Sons perform "Timshel" in concert, Marcus Mumford thinks of his parents, though he's not sure why, and he sends them good vibes.

Comments: 1

  • Megan from Stevenson, AlI absolutely love the lyrics and how the four of their voices mix well to make the most wonderful music!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.