The birds were falling limbless from the sky
Falling in nobody's eyes but mine
The birds were closing in again, I try
To fight them back and find my way outside
Squinting like a newborn in the light
I walk for like an hour, maybe five
You're the only reason that I might find
My way, out here tonight

I came here when the road was very dry
The road was dry as paper so I typed
And in the accident of hands producing lines
I hope to clear the birds away and give them flight
And when you clear the birds away you see the sky
And when you see the sky you know which way to tread
And I think you're the only reason
That I might, might, might
Illuminate the text
So I can see to where the grass is really bright, bright, bright
Meet you there and know which way to step

Oh my love you're always further than I'd like
Always moving just ahead of me like time
And it isn't that I want to fall behind
And it isn't that I don't know how to love
But the world is made of paper so I type
I write but I could never write enough
Now I can see to where the grass is really bright, bright, bright
But I don't know if I'll ever make it out

And all the birds are falling limbless from the sky
Falling in nobody's eyes but mine
And I'm squinting like a newborn in the light
Squinting like a newborn in the light
Of a paper forest starting to ignite
Of a paper forest burning out of sight
And I think you're the only reason
You're the reason, you're the reason
The reason for the fire
Oh

Let these paper forests burn and burn until they're down
Maybe then the birds will herd, emerge and lead you out
Let these paper forests burn and burn until they're down
Maybe then the birds will herd, emerge and lead you out


Lyrics submitted by lazywolfeyes, edited by middledistancerunner

Paper Forest (Birds) Lyrics as written by Euan Hinshelwood Emma Moss

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Mute Song Limited

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Paper Forest (In the Afterglow of Rapture) song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I think this is about someone who's getting older but doesn't want to come to terms with the fact that she's not young anymore.

    emmylou33on January 05, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Wrong lyrics?

    Miss_Susanon November 26, 2015   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I think it's about being afraid of getting so caught up in meaningless things that you lose a part of yourself.

    JessRoseon July 19, 2014   Link

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