The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
‘I hadn’t told anyone about it for 30 years’: Marcus Mumford reveals he was sexually abused as a child
Mumford & Sons frontman spoke out about past trauma during discussion of his new music
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Marcus Mumford has revealed that he experienced sexual abuse as a child in a new interview.
The singer and songwriter has been the frontman of folk-rock group Mumford & Sons since the band’s inception in 2007.
As he prepares to release solo music, the musician spoke about the inspiration behind his new work.
Speaking to GQ Hype about a forthcoming song named “Cannibal”, Mumford explained that the track was how his mother learned about traumatic experiences that occurred when he was six.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
According to the publication, the song begins with the lyrics: “I can still taste you and I hate it / That wasn’t a choice in the mind of a child and you knew it.”
Mumford & Sons’ Winston Marshall says he ‘lost a lot of friends’ after Andy Ngo tweet led to departure from band
Jennette McCurdy’s mother warned her not ‘to get too close’ to Miranda Cosgrove because she didn’t ‘believe in God’
Dolly Parton pays tribute to ‘special friend’ Olivia Newton-John after her death at age 73
After playing the song to his mother, Mumford says it took some days before she asked what the song was about.
“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***ing hilarious to tell your mom about your abuse in a f***ing song, of all things.”
Later in the discussion, he explained that the track “had to” be the first one on his new record, as it was his way of not apologising for what he’d been through.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Mumford also said that the experience of “a string of really unusual, unhealthy sexual experiences at a really early age” resulted in him dealing with other life occurrences in an “imbalanced way” as he got older.
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here.