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.
You got a face not spoiled by beauty
I have some scars from where I've been
You've got eyes that can see right through me
You're not afraid of anything they've seen
I was told that I would feel nothing the first time
I don't know how these cuts heal
But in you I found a rhyme
If there is a light you can't always see
And there is a world we can't always be
If there is a dark that we shouldn't doubt
And there is a light, don't let it go out
And this is a song, a song for someone
This is a song, a song for someone
You let me in to a conversation
A conversation only we could make
You break and enter my imagination
Whatever's in there, it's yours to take
I was told I'd feel nothing the first time
You were slow to heal
But this could be the night
If there is a light you can't always see
And there is a world we can't always be
If there is a dark within and without
And there is a light, don't let it go out
And this is a song, a song for someone
This is a song, this is a song for someone
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And I'm a long, long way from your hill of Calvary
And I'm a long way from where I was, where I need to be
If there is a light you can't always see
And there is a world we can't always be
If there is a kiss I stole from your mouth
And there is a light, don't let it go out
I have some scars from where I've been
You've got eyes that can see right through me
You're not afraid of anything they've seen
I was told that I would feel nothing the first time
I don't know how these cuts heal
But in you I found a rhyme
If there is a light you can't always see
And there is a world we can't always be
If there is a dark that we shouldn't doubt
And there is a light, don't let it go out
And this is a song, a song for someone
This is a song, a song for someone
You let me in to a conversation
A conversation only we could make
You break and enter my imagination
Whatever's in there, it's yours to take
I was told I'd feel nothing the first time
You were slow to heal
But this could be the night
If there is a light you can't always see
And there is a world we can't always be
If there is a dark within and without
And there is a light, don't let it go out
And this is a song, a song for someone
This is a song, this is a song for someone
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And I'm a long, long way from your hill of Calvary
And I'm a long way from where I was, where I need to be
If there is a light you can't always see
And there is a world we can't always be
If there is a kiss I stole from your mouth
And there is a light, don't let it go out
Lyrics submitted by Strangersays, edited by dirtylemons
Song For Someone Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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As is almost always true, Bono's lyrics have many layers of meaning. Very often, his lyrics have a layer of Christian meaning. (I think of them almost as a Christian band).
I think the three verses of this song are all being sung to Jesus. Jesus is the "you" in the verses. This is very obvious in the third verse where he says "And I’m a long way From your hill of Calvary".
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The refrains are spoken to Bono and us - a motivation to not lose sight of the light. We are all the Someone...
@LibertyMark Well said Mark. Having lived in Ireland, I can tell you the Irish domestic audience is very Catholic, but U2 probably realized early on that their international audience is far more secular. So they they tend to obscure their religious themes as not to provoke the non religious, or even anti-Christian /SJW types. If they had come along twenty years later, they probably would have been terrified to include ANY of that stuff, as the SJWs have become so outspoken and have dominated much of the internet (and might bash U2 for carrying water for Christianity.) The irony, of course, is that U2 is a very liberal, activist band, pushing for many of the same goals as the SJWs (just listen to "This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now")-- but when you contradict their political orthodoxy, those types can be very unforgiving and don't often "turn the other cheek."