This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
For I have promised
Oh, to be with you tonight
And for the time that will come
Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
And I understand
These winds and tides
This change of times
Won't drag you away
Hold on, and hold on tightly
Hold on, and don't let go of my love
The storms will pass (the storm will pass)
It won't be long now (it won't be long now)
His love will last
His love will last, forever
Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
Give you what I hold dear
Hold on, hold on tightly
Hold on, hold on tightly
Rise up, rise up
With wings like eagles
You run, you run
You run and not grow weary
(Take my hand, take my hand)
Hold on, and hold on tightly
Hold on, hold on tightly
To this love,(this love, this love) last forever
To this love,(this love, this love) last forever
Take my hand
Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
For I have promised
Oh, to be with you tonight
And for the time that will come
Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
And I understand
These winds and tides
This change of times
Won't drag you away
Hold on, and hold on tightly
Hold on, and don't let go of my love
The storms will pass (the storm will pass)
It won't be long now (it won't be long now)
His love will last
His love will last, forever
Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
Give you what I hold dear
Hold on, hold on tightly
Hold on, hold on tightly
Rise up, rise up
With wings like eagles
You run, you run
You run and not grow weary
(Take my hand, take my hand)
Hold on, and hold on tightly
Hold on, hold on tightly
To this love,(this love, this love) last forever
To this love,(this love, this love) last forever
Take my hand
Take my hand
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira
Drowning Man Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
One of U2's most moving songs, this is most definitely about the "bridegroom" relationship of Christ and the church. The lyrics "Take my hand/You know I'll be there/If you can/I'll cross the sky for your love/For I have promised/Oh, to be with you tonight/And for the time that will come" clearly speak of Christ's gift of eternal life and love. His promise is reinforced with the lyrics, "His love will last/His love will last forever." This song is a strong source of encouragement and comfort for me, reminding me that I have a Savior who not only cared to save the world, He cared to save ME, and He desperately wants to be with ME, should I choose to "Hold on, hold on tightly/To this love, last forever."
bullocks
@emann333 spot on. From Tumblr: “ The song itself is about drowning/struggling because one is far away from God and does not know God. It’s said to be about Adam Clayton, who was an alcoholic at the time, and the only band member who was not a man of faith. The words are spoken as if from the Lord, and meant to reach out and speak into the heart and give hope of a love that never ends (God’s love). This is why, the lines are all drawn from scripture.”<br /> <br /> Bono used a biblical reference in this song:<br /> <br /> Like eagles you'll run, you'll run<br /> You'll run and not grow weary<br /> <br /> Isaiah 40:31 reads:<br /> <br /> They will soar on wings like eagles<br /> They will run and not grow weary <br />
Part of the lyrics are taken from the bible....
Even the youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40v28-31
This is my favourite U2 song. I didnt know it was about Adam, but it certainly makes sense. I love this tune.
perhaps there are religious overtones (there are a lot of religious overtones on War) but this song was written for Clayton, who had substance abuse problems at the time
I'm not religious, but this song made me cry, because it's so deep and beautiful. It's clearly about Jesus and someone who's struggling to keep his faith.
some songs, like other works of art, are divinely inspired, even if not knowingly so. with wings like eagles . . . not grow weary, as noted already, also is found in Isaiah. I used to listen to this song over and over as a very young lad when the album came out and not know why . . . the echoes of this song bounced around my mind at a critical time many years later and now I know why.
I'll Cross the sky for your love . . . that has only happened once in the last two thousand years . . .
When I was 15, I bought this album. I used to listen to this song over, and over, and over again. I can remember clearly just crying sometimes while listening to this song. Years later I became a drug addict and a miserable person without hope. When I finally decided 'enough was enough', I was lying in bed, and this song came to my head! All the words....everything......I never really believed in God -- well, I did, but I thought He hated me....because I was a sinner.
Now, I realize that God was at the door waiting for me all along....I have been born-again....baptized....saved......now, when I hear this song, I get 'God-bumps'....I realize that the song was inspired by God -- all the right people 'the lost' heard it, and will continue to hear it....and, they will know that God's love is never-ending....
In the song "Peace on Earth" on the ATYCLB album, there is a reference to the phrase, "Drowning Man". It says "Jesus can you take the time/To throw a DROWNING MAN a line/peace on earth..." I think drowning man could mean a man who is struggling with his faith. He is a believer, but is finding it hard with all of the awful things that are happening in the world. just my opinion...
yep agree wit every1
Apart from Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day, this was the first song I really liked when I bought the album.