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Rain
Bishop Allen Lyrics


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Bed clothes, why am I in bed clothes?
watching out the window
watching what I don't know
on the fire escape now
hands they start to shake now
ready for the rail to break now
and I'm awake at last awake

Cursing, rattling and cursing
go ahead and do your worst then
your worst that I can take

Oh let the rain fall down
and wash this world away
oh let the sky be grey
cause if its ever gonna get any better
its gotta get worse for a day

Morning, where am I this morning?
now its really pouring,
crawling up this shore
and I walk the neighborhood
and umbrella does no good
and I guess its in my blood
couldn't stop the flood

Drowning, everything is drowning
go ahead and take the town
the town is yours to take

Oh let the rain fall down
and wash this world away
oh let the sky be grey
cause if its ever gonna get any better
its gotta get worse for a day

Calling, calling, falling, falling
grab on my guitar
and paddle with both my arms
headed where the voices are
I'll end up far so far away

Oh let the rain fall down
and wash this world away
or let the sky be grey
cause if its ever gonna get any better
its gotta get worse for a day

its gotta get worse for a day
its gotta get worse for a day
its gotta get worse for a day
I know
its gotta get worse for a day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bishop Allen's song "Rain" depict the feelings of someone who is going through a difficult time, perhaps a breakup or loss of some kind. The first verse describes the singer being in bed, watching out the window at something they don't know. They are on a fire escape and feel ready to break, but also ready to face the world again. The second verse describes the morning after, where the rain is pouring down and the singer feels like everything is drowning. Despite this, they take up their guitar and head off towards the voices in the distance, seeking solace and escape.


The chorus of the song talks about letting the rain fall down and wash the world away, and letting the sky be grey because sometimes it has to get worse before it can get better. This is a classic case of "the calm after the storm", where the aftermath can actually be a blessing in disguise.


The song's overall message is one of perseverance and hope, despite the difficulties that life may throw at us. It's a reminder that things will get better, but we might have to go through some tough times before we can fully appreciate the good. Overall, the song is a beautiful representation of human resilience and the power of music to help us get through difficult times.


Line by Line Meaning

Bed clothes, why am I in bed clothes?
Wondering why I'm still in bed clothes


watching out the window
Looking out the window with uncertainty


watching what I don't know
Observing things uncertainly


on the fire escape now
Standing on the fire escape


hands they start to shake now
Feeling anxious and trembling


ready for the rail to break now
Waiting for things to fall apart


and I'm awake at last awake
Finally awake and alert


Cursing, rattling and cursing
Angry and frustrated


go ahead and do your worst then
Challenging obstacles to come at me with everything


your worst that I can take
Confident in my ability to handle challenges


Oh let the rain fall down
Hoping for cleansing rain


and wash this world away
Wanting a fresh start


oh let the sky be grey
Wishing for a somber atmosphere


cause if its ever gonna get any better
Believing that things will only improve if they first get worse


its gotta get worse for a day
Emphasizing the need for temporary suffering


Morning, where am I this morning?
Questioning my whereabouts in the morning


now its really pouring,
Heavy rainfall now


crawling up this shore
Struggling against the storm


and I walk the neighborhood
Walking around the area


and umbrella does no good
Realizing that the umbrella can't protect me from everything


and I guess its in my blood
Understanding that my struggles are part of my nature


couldn't stop the flood
Powerless to halt a disaster


Drowning, everything is drowning
Feeling overwhelmed by the storm


go ahead and take the town
Giving in to the storm's power


the town is yours to take
Accepting that the disaster is beyond my control


Calling, calling, falling, falling
Feeling lost and in need of direction


grab on my guitar
Seeking comfort in music


and paddle with both my arms
Fighting to stay afloat


headed where the voices are
Following the sounds of help


I'll end up far so far away
Expecting to be left with distance after the storm


its gotta get worse for a day
Repeating the need for temporary suffering


its gotta get worse for a day
Emphasizing the need for temporary suffering


its gotta get worse for a day
Reiterating the need for temporary suffering


I know
Aware of the inevitable hardships




Contributed by Elijah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Hope Lines

Bishop Allen's songwriting and range of topics is astounding.

Ari Korin

Bishop Allen is just brilliant.

ann sax

They describe me so well...0:22-25 makes me shiver everytime. LOVE it.

Ariel Schwartz

this song puts a smile on my face.

Sueli Kato

Música linda!

MrTPlan

Have yet to come across i dislike by these guys, They just keep getting better and better!

Chris Borgars-Smith

I'm going to be spending all night working for an academic parasite. By my estimation, that means I will hear this song one hundred and twenty times tonight.

gregtube88

Quality. Proper summer song.

Milo Lea

My first Bishop Allen song. Love at first listen <3 :)

anthonysob4

lol so good on so many levels. Lyrics play so well into each other, many entry points but still catchy. So many people are missing out

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