Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh
I'm overlooking the canyon
Right from where I'm standing, swear I
See my former glory still burning
It had every intent of returning

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh
I've been years here planning the landing
To prepare for jumping the canyon
It's not the death-defying or cheering
It's the thrill of clearing, barely clearing

And if I see no hope for me
I still see hope for you
In the high rise of the morning
The exception that proves my rule

(Oh, oh) oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh
And still I'm tying up loose ends
I tie them to a chair to defy them
To protect and hide them, untie them
These are not the ones you want, untie 'em

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
And now I'm jumping the canyon
After years of planning and planning
It's the monumental challenge of feeling
You must fight before you start free-wheeling

And if I see no hope for me
I still see hope for you
In the wide eyes of the morning
The exception that proves my rule

And if I see no hope for me
I still see hope for you
In the high rise of the morning
The exception that proves my rule

Proves my rule (proves my rule)
Proves my rule (proves my rule)


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by demyelinated, bravely

Wide Eyes Lyrics as written by Carl Allan Newman

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Wide Eyes song meanings
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  • +1
    My Interpretation

    This is a really sweet and poignant duet between two people who were perhaps once close, but no longer speak to each other. Newman's character is attempting to jump the (metaphorical) canyon after years of planning while Case's character watches him from below ("In the high rise of the morning"). Case is cynical, but she has faith in Newman to succeed at the monumental challenge in front of him and it is clear that she still admires him for trying.

    The "exception that proves my rule" means that she believes Newman will succeed in clearing the canyon, but that he is crazy to even attempt it given how, normally, a person would surely fail. Her stubbornness and lack of self-confidence is evident in the repetition of "proves my rule," but she still sees hope for him regardless of their past. Great song.

    Ryskuon October 14, 2014   Link

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