Ghost Dance

Patti Smith

We shall live again, we shall live

What is it children that falls from the sky?
Tayi, taya, tayi, aye, aye
Man from heaven from the most high
Food from the father, tayi, taye, aye

We shall live again, we shall live again
We shall live again; shake out the ghost dance

Peace to your brother; give and take peace
Tayi, taya, it leaves two feet
One foot extended, snake to the ground
Wave up the earth, one turn around

We shall live again, we shall live again
We shall live again; shake out the ghost dance

Stretch out your arms, now tip and swing
Rude up thy bird, tayi, tayi
Threw out your shoe over the soil
Dust off the words that shaped from the tale

We shall live again, we shall live again
We shall live again; shake out the ghost dance

Here we are, father, lord, holy ghost
Bread of your bread, ghost of your host
We are the tears that fall from your eyes
Word of your word, cry of your cry

We shall live again, we shall live again
We shall live again

What is it, father, in your eye?
What is this wisdom, eyes of God
That makes me feel just what I need?
You used to fly me the way to speed

What is it, father, holy that night?
What is it, father, that moves to the right?
What is it, father, that is waiting in heaven?
What is it, father, that shapes from your hand?
What is it, father, that makes me spin around?
What is it, father, that brings me down?
What is it, father? You can't tell what I like?
What is it, father? I just ride into space
What is it, father? I can tell you one night
What is it, father? I can tell what I like
What is it, father? Are you into shape?
What is it, father? Are you calling today?
What is it, father?


Lyrics submitted by lahesperia

Ghost Dance Lyrics as written by Patti Lee Smith Leonard J Kaye

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Ghost Dance song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

2 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Dance

    If you're interested in the actual Ghost Dance of the Native Americans, Wiki has good information about it.

    Acephalouson February 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Such a beautiful song, it would make you cry even if you didn't know the story...

    morbid moragon May 27, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.