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You know the distance never made a difference to me
I swam a lake of fire, I'd have walked across the floor of any sea
Ignored the vastness between all that can be seen
And all that we believe
So I thought you were like an angel to me
Funny how true colours shine in darkness and in secrecy
If there were scarlet flags
They washed out in the mind of me
Where a blinding light shone on you every night
And either side of my sleep
Where you were held frozen like an angel to me
It ain't the being alone
Sha-la-la (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
It ain't the empty home, baby
Sha-la-la (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
You know I'm good on my own
Sha-la-la
Sha-la-la, baby, you know it's more the being unknown
So much of the living, love, is the being unknown
You called me angel for the first time, my heart leapt from me
You smile now, I can see its pieces still stuck in your teeth
And what's left of it, I listen to it tick
Every tedious beat going unknown as any angel to me
Do you know, I could break beneath the weight
Of the goodness, love, I still carry for you?
That I'd walk so far just to take
The injury of finally knowing you
It ain't the being alone
Sha-la-la (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
It ain't the empty home, baby
Sha-la-la (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
You know I'm good on my own
Sha-la-la
Sha-la-la, baby
You know it's more the being unknown
And there are some people, love, who are better unknown
I swam a lake of fire, I'd have walked across the floor of any sea
Ignored the vastness between all that can be seen
And all that we believe
So I thought you were like an angel to me
Funny how true colours shine in darkness and in secrecy
If there were scarlet flags
They washed out in the mind of me
Where a blinding light shone on you every night
And either side of my sleep
Where you were held frozen like an angel to me
It ain't the being alone
Sha-la-la (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
It ain't the empty home, baby
Sha-la-la (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
You know I'm good on my own
Sha-la-la
Sha-la-la, baby, you know it's more the being unknown
So much of the living, love, is the being unknown
You called me angel for the first time, my heart leapt from me
You smile now, I can see its pieces still stuck in your teeth
And what's left of it, I listen to it tick
Every tedious beat going unknown as any angel to me
Do you know, I could break beneath the weight
Of the goodness, love, I still carry for you?
That I'd walk so far just to take
The injury of finally knowing you
It ain't the being alone
Sha-la-la (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
It ain't the empty home, baby
Sha-la-la (sha-la-la-la-la-la)
You know I'm good on my own
Sha-la-la
Sha-la-la, baby
You know it's more the being unknown
And there are some people, love, who are better unknown
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It is rather obvious in this case, but this is the character's reflection on the profound impact of distance and secrecy in a relationship. They expresses a willingness to traverse any obstacle, both physical and emotional, for their lover's reciprocation. The metaphorical imagery of swimming a "lake of fire" and walking "across the floor of any sea" underscores the profound efforts taken to reach that desired light of a love returned.
Their revelation that true colors shine in darkness suggests a realization about the hidden aspects of their lover pertaining to secrecy, yet the mention of scarlet flags being washed away implies a willingness to overlook warning signs exhibited by their lover, and said darkness.
Even though the repetition of the image of an angel symbolizes an idealized perception of the other person, a perception shattered by the unveiling of true colors, the previous lines overshadow that in a way.
The refrain "It ain't the being alone, it ain't the empty home" underscores a sense of self-sufficiency, yet the poignant "It's more the being unknown" delves into the loneliness that stems from lack of the desired companionship. Just as the reference to calling someone an "angel" for the first time evokes a significant moment, juxtaposed with the painful acknowledgment of their broken heart and remnants of it stuck in their lover's smile, symbolising the disregard their lover has for their feelings in this relationship.
They grapple with the weight of lingering love and the desire to break beneath it, highlighting the internal struggle.
The lyrics convey a sense of yearning for the acknowledgment of their emotions, encapsulating the complexity of relationships where some people may remain better off unknown, of whom could possibly be their partner's other lovers, which would in turn explain the distant interest and callous disregard for their feelings.
Overall, this song captures the intricacies of love, distance, desperation, unfaithfulness, and the challenges of being in love with a distant partner.