Put my dreams in my hand so I know I'm sure
Give me all that I want from this giant world
But you can't seem to not
Tally it up so we know the score

Show me how I'm a man, show me the light
Show me the wings of the day and the depths of the night
But you can't seem to not
Show me all that you sacrificed

And well, nothing
Is harder
Than to know
How much I still owe you

You could move like a silver cloud through the sky
You could move like a secret and slip past my life
But you can't seem to quit
Moving words around to show who was right

And well, nothing
Is harder
Than to know
That you were never wrong, dear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bowerbirds' song Silver Clouds are poetic and evocative, hinting at themes of power dynamics, sacrifice, and the difficulty of understanding one another. The first stanza expresses a desire for control and certainty, as the singer longs to hold their dreams in their own hand and have everything they want from the "giant world." However, this desire is met with resistance, as the other person is constantly keeping score and tallying up what they have sacrificed.

The second stanza shifts focus to the idea of masculinity and enlightenment, with the singer asking to be shown what it means to be a man and to understand the light and darkness of the world. However, again there is tension as the other person seems to be keeping score of what they have given up. The third stanza likens the other person to a "silver cloud" that can move unnoticed through the singer's life. However, this person's need to show who was right and keep score creates an ongoing tension that is difficult to navigate.

At its core, Silver Clouds is a song about the difficulties inherent in human relationships. The tension between wanting to be in control and wanting to connect with others is a common theme that many listeners can relate to. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they offer a sense of vulnerability and longing that is universal.

Line by Line Meaning

Put my dreams in my hand so I know I'm sure
Allow me to have control over my desires, so that I can be confident in them

Give me all that I want from this giant world
Provide me with everything that I desire from this vast world

But you can't seem to not Tally it up so we know the score
However, you cannot resist keeping score and displaying who is winning

Show me how I'm a man, show me the light
Reveal to me the path to manhood, guide me towards enlightenment

Show me the wings of the day and the depths of the night
Allow me to experience the beauty of both day and night equally

But you can't seem to not Show me all that you sacrificed
However, you cannot help showing off what you have given up for me

And well, nothing Is harder Than to know How much I still owe you
It is difficult to comprehend just how much I still owe you for everything you have done for me

You could move like a silver cloud through the sky
You move gracefully through life, like a silver cloud in the sky

You could move like a secret and slip past my life
You have the ability to move in secrecy, and pass through my life unnoticed

But you can't seem to quit Moving words around to show who was right
However, you cannot resist the urge to manipulate words to prove that you are right

And well, nothing Is harder Than to know That you were never wrong, dear
It is a challenging realization that you were never in the wrong, my love

Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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