In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Lay my body down
By the shallows of the creek
You can lay my body down
Lay me in your reach
And when my body's down
We'll steal the thunder from the rain
And when my body's down
We'll shake the dirt right from the pain
I was going nowhere
Nowhere very fast
Threw my poison out the window
But it came blowin' back
Out along the highway
Right through the night of crime
Somewhere in the darkness
Your hope shined
Whisper wisdom's words
You can whisper wisdom's lies
But all of wisdom's words
Never helped me to survive
Days of all my arrogance
When you were not afraid
Threw my paycheck out the window
You threw it all away
Walked the devil's highway
Across the county line
Somewhere in the darkness
Your hope shined
Your hope shined, your hope shined X2
Walked the devil's highway, across the county line
But your hope shined, your hope shined
First light in the mornin', right through the night of crime
Your hope shined, your hope shined
Lay my body down
By the shallows of the creek
By the shallows of the creek
You can lay my body down
Lay me in your reach
And when my body's down
We'll steal the thunder from the rain
And when my body's down
We'll shake the dirt right from the pain
I was going nowhere
Nowhere very fast
Threw my poison out the window
But it came blowin' back
Out along the highway
Right through the night of crime
Somewhere in the darkness
Your hope shined
Whisper wisdom's words
You can whisper wisdom's lies
But all of wisdom's words
Never helped me to survive
Days of all my arrogance
When you were not afraid
Threw my paycheck out the window
You threw it all away
Walked the devil's highway
Across the county line
Somewhere in the darkness
Your hope shined
Your hope shined, your hope shined X2
Walked the devil's highway, across the county line
But your hope shined, your hope shined
First light in the mornin', right through the night of crime
Your hope shined, your hope shined
Lay my body down
By the shallows of the creek
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Your Hope Shines Lyrics as written by Christian Eckman
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
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”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.