Song meaning of Avila by The Wailin' Jennys

The lyrics of "Avila" by The Wailin' Jennys convey a message of longing for peace and an end to violence and suffering. The song describes a town that has been ravaged by war and destruction, symbolized by the black crows carrying the remnants of battle and fire. The town's residents are questioning whether peace has forgotten them, wondering if they have been abandoned and left to grow over like weeds.

The song expresses a desire for peace to finally "fall upon this town." The repetition of the phrase "Oh sweet peace, never have you fallen" emphasizes the desperate longing for tranquility and the absence of violence that the town has never experienced. The lyrics also convey a sense of determination to not wait for justice or for the perpetrators of violence to be held accountable. Instead, the narrator yearns for the daylight to fill the town, symbolizing hope and healing.

Overall, the song's message is one of hope and a plea for an end to the cycle of destruction and suffering. It calls for peace to prevail and for the darkness to be replaced by light. The lyrics reflect the universal longing for a world free from violence and the resiliency of communities that continue to hold on to hope amid adversity.