The Truth Is the Light

This song has become one of my very favorites, for the redeeming message and resounding delivery.

The message is simple: we are all better off with the truth, even when the truth is painful. Especially when the truth matters so much, in this particular case in an unrequited romance.

(Before I get to the details I need to correct what I believe is a mistake in the common transcription of the lyrics. What I hear for "It's a sad song you cannot sing" is instead "It's a sad song you can't unsing". The latter is easier to interpret, but the vague ambiguity of the former doesn't contradict my read of the song, it's just nonsensical.)

"The truth is the light" says that we all get the most benefit from honesty, even when the truth is painful: when "It hurts sometimes", "that sayings still right". This is a crucial premise for these times, when the truth is under attack for selfish nefarious purposes.

But the song zooms in specifically tn a love relationship - verse two: "Love is a flame". It can warm you or it can burn you. Right? Hell, yes. Verse three, "You might have to cry", but better to cry than to stay in the flames and get some smoke in your eyes (and worse).

The next (fourth) verse gets to the crux: I will be liberated – “… feel my wings” – when you release the truth you’ve been holding back – “With your lips unbuttoned // I know you're gonna set me free”. I will be free to make my own choices, even if what you want isn’t what I want. (About the above corrected “sad song you can’t unsing” verse, the sad song is an unrequited love story, which the unwelcomed lover can’t forget, “but that’s alright”...)

The next expository verse continues this theme. It follows a refrain of “The truth is the light” and starts with “Some people might steal and cheat me”. To their lover they say “don't deceive me // And it'll be all right” … “I can get my peace // No matter how bad // You know it's gonna set me free”.

The last new verse, before the final “truth is the light” refrain, starts with “My birds gonna sing”. Even if you “cut his wings” (might have been more gently phrased with the idiom “trim his wings”), my feelings in the world are going to continue to be strong, my heart is going to ring, “my birds going to sing”.

The singer’s crystal clear, gutsy yet so tuneful voice, the resounding bass lines and eloquently pining but not whining slide guitar, this is a stark and redeeming song of vitality in love, even unrequited love. Beautiful. Beautiful.

[Edit: Turn a phrase better...]