The days were golden
We were known to be
We won't escape this memory forward on
To the place we sail

All to believe
When you raise an iron hand
This place without a song for all
The words just crawl

Glimmering and everything another skull
You said it was dangerous
Found out the place where you're going
Follow me down the path
I take your hopes I promise you this
A dying cold world but gold
Shimmering gold

Come momma now tell me the story
Only laughing
About our gilded wasteland
Devoured torn into pieces
Come now we shine
Small things ever calling out your name
You hear some other time unchained alive
A world undefined

All to be free
When you raise an open hand
This place without a wall
The words just grow


Lyrics submitted by pumkinhed

Days Were Golden Lyrics as written by Jeremy Enigk

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Days Were Golden song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

7 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    My Opinion

    Best SDRE Song of all, in my opionion.

    I can only take a guess at what it is supposed to mean, given that this song is just as hard to interpret as pretty much every other Sunny Day Real Estate song!

    I think that Enigk is talking about how his life used to be when he was a child, more carefree and innocent. Perhaps it is about realizing that certain things his mother had taught him in his youth he should have listened to more...

    "glimmering and everything another skull you said it was dangerous found out the place where you're going follow me down the path I take your hopes I promise you this a dying cold world but gold shimmering gold"

    I think this verse is supposed to represent the fact that Enigks mother tried to instill religious ethics in him, but maybe he didn't take it to heart until later on in his life when he had a change of heart..

    Agian this is just my take, this is a very complex song if you ask me...

    SVTristanon October 26, 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
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.