One day maybe we will dance again
Under fiery skies
One day maybe you will love again
Love that never dies

One day maybe you will see the land
Touch skin with sand
You've been swimming in the lonely sea
With no company

Oh, don't you want to find?
Can't you hear this beauty in life?
The roads, the highs, breaking up your life
Can't you hear this beauty in life?

One day maybe you will cry again
Just like a child
You've gotta tie yourself to the mast my friend
And the storm will end

Oh, don't you want to find?
Can't you hear this beauty in life?
The times, the highs, breaking up your mind
Can't you hear this beauty in life?

Oh, you're too afraid to touch
Too afraid you'll like it too much
The roads, the times, breaking up your mind
Can't you hear this beauty in life?

One day maybe I will dance again
One day maybe I will love again
One day maybe we will dance again
You know you've gotta
Tie yourself to the mast my friend
And the storm will end
One day maybe you will love again
You've gotta tie yourself to the mast my friend
And the storm will end


Lyrics submitted by JulieMarlene, edited by jenrsh

One Day Lyrics as written by Richard Ashcroft

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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One Day song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    The Verve is one of the best bands to emerge in the 90’s with music and lyrics that promote a healthy amount of contemplation. The words of Richard Ashcroft can be interpreted in several ways by the listener, and thus reveal his brilliance. There is vast Dharma meaning to be found implicitly and explicitly within this beautiful song…

    This song begins (stanzas 1&2) with hope for peace and true lasting happiness, attained through the Wisdom ‘fire’ understanding Ultimate Truth. Having abandoned the deluded states of mind that are the root causes of suffering (ignorance, attachment, anger), and having cultivated the supreme bliss of universal Love (wish for others to be happy) and Compassion (wish for others to be free from suffering), we are free to experience all of existence as unified and pure.

    Richard states explicitly (stanzas 3&5) the problems of the unbalanced deluded minds of sentient beings and is asking the listener to tune in to their own virtuous minds as a means of bringing about positive change. The line “Can’t you hear this beauty in life” resonates strongly the message of understanding dependent relationship. This is the means to realize emptiness of inherent existence (Ultimate Truth). Sound is used as an example here because it is easy to understand how sound arises in dependence upon causes and conditions, and is un-findable when searched for, which reveals that sound’s (and ALL phenomena’s) True nature is mere appearance to mind.

    The most powerful line (stanzas 4& end) within this song is that of “You’ve gotta tie yourself to the mast my friend and the storm will end”. This line embodies the universal foundation of all religions/ spiritual practices, that is, that of exchanging oneself with others. Giving of oneself unconditionally and selflessly is the actual method practice to attain permanent liberation from cyclic existence. If one were to die with a mind of pure compassion (as Jesus demonstrated) they would be instantly reborn in a pure land (Heaven) and never experience suffering again (FOREVER). As stated in the song also however (stanza 6), our own fears and reservations prevent us from developing faith and engaging in the actual actions of body, speech and mind that lead to these outcomes, and thus these are our principal obstacles to be overcome. ;)

    Milarepaon September 06, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is so beautiful. I can't listen to it without crying.

    Howard13on June 30, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    oh, and this is my official breakup song

    cadillac4lifeon April 09, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Does anyone else ever find that the line "tie yourself to the mast my friend and the storm will end" reminds them of Leuitenant (sp?) Dan in the film Forrest Gump and the scene where he sits at the top of the mast shouting and shaking his fist in anger at the storm. But also shouting in anger at his misfortune in life to God. Then the following day there is the line "I think he made his peace with god".

    Its a slightly different take on it but still serves as to the idea that you need to face the storm, face the difficulties in life head on and while it is hard to do the aftermath will be worth it, you will move on.

    Lailseaxon September 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it's very me...i've had a hard time since my last breakup, so i'm hoping one day i will love again...the song is gorgeously presented, i've cried many a tear to this one too

    Oh, you're too afraid to touch Too afraid you'll like it too much

    ^it's sad but true

    cadillac4lifeon April 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    well, in my opinion the best of richard and his band, its a beautifull song to life to hold on cause one day everything will be all right again

    ivanhoe1585on April 13, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The whole song is beautiful, but these lines: "You've gotta tie yourself to the mast my friend And the storm will end " are my favorite part of the song. Such a good reminder that perserverance, dedication are the the way to go.

    xinniefulon March 07, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The song happens within a larger context that is never named, but we hear about the result: things now vary from vast emptiness to uncontrolled turmoil. There's no mid-range feeling, so something pretty serious happened earlier to damage his emotive responses. "Tie yourself to the mast my friend" says he's lost proactive control of himself. When things go bad he just tries to get through the best way he knows how. It's a purposeful resolve, but in a totally passive way. He basically shuts down, stops noticing what his emotions feel like to him as they happen - like a dissociation type thing.

    xby45on March 28, 2014   Link

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