Falling Slowly
Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out, oh
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You'll make it now
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
And moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
Well, you have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly, sing your melody
I'll sing along, oh, oh, oh
Take it all
I played the cards too late
Now you're gone
The opening lines of Glen Hansard's song "Falling Slowly" convey a sense of longing and vulnerability. The singer admits to not knowing the person he is addressing directly, yet the words they exchange fall through him and “always fool” him. This may suggest that he is emotionally invested in this person, but feels incapable of expressing his true feelings. The second verse speaks to the feeling of being trapped, unable to overcome the games and patterns that keep him from connecting with the person he desires. However, the chorus offers a glimmer of hope. The lines "Take this sinking boat and point it home / We've still got time / Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice / You'll make it now" suggest that despite the challenges, there is still a chance for the relationship to be salvaged.
The imagery of a sinking boat is potent, signifying the fragility of their situation. But the line "point it home" connotes a sense of direction, and the idea that they have the power to steer their course. The line "raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice" reinforces this sense of agency. It is a call to action, encouraging the person the singer addresses to speak up and take control of their life. In the bridge, the singer suggests that the person has struggled enough and it is time for them to win.
Overall, "Falling Slowly" speaks to the complex emotions of desire, vulnerability, and the struggle to connect. It suggests that while these feelings are not easy to navigate, there is always hope if we take action and steer ourselves towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know you
I'm not personally acquainted with you
But I want you
But I have feelings of attraction towards you
All the more for that
In fact, my lack of knowing you only increases my desire for you
Words fall through me
I have difficulty processing and understanding language
And always fool me
And I am often misled or deceived by words
And I can't react
I feel incapable of responding appropriately
And games that never amount
Deceptive or manipulative actions that are ultimately meaningless
To more than they're meant
Not living up to their intended importance or significance
Will play themselves out, oh
Will run their course and end without anything substantial resulting from them
Take this sinking boat and point it home
Metaphorically, let's redirect our course towards a more positive, stable outcome
We've still got time
There is still a chance for us to succeed or make things right
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
Be optimistic and vocal, for you have the power to make decisions
You'll make it now
You are capable of achieving success or happiness in the present moment
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
Sinking into a sense of familiarity and comfort, looking into the eyes of someone who understands me
And I can't go back
I cannot return to a previous state, either physically or emotionally
And moods that take me and erase me
My changing emotional states can be overpowering and can make me feel like I am losing myself
And I'm painted black
I feel shrouded in darkness or negativity
Well, you have suffered enough
To the person I'm singing to - you have experienced significant hardship
And warred with yourself
You have struggled internally and fought with your own thoughts and feelings
It's time that you won
It's time for your struggles to come to an end and for you to succeed
Falling slowly, sing your melody
Flowing gently, singing your own individual tune
I'll sing along, oh, oh, oh
I will harmonize with you, offering my support and joining my voice with yours
Take it all
I will accept whatever comes my way, both good and bad
I played the cards too late
I waited too long to take action or make a move
Now you're gone
Now the person I'm singing to is no longer present
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1dforever952
Lyrics
I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You'll make it now
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
And moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
Well, you have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly, sing your melody
I'll sing along
Take it all
I played the cards too late
Now you're gone
@d8ni3l
"Falling Slowly"
(with Markéta Irglová)
(from "Once" soundtrack)
I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out
[Chorus:]
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You'll make it now
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won
[Chorus:]
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing it loud
@definitelynosebreather
Everyone who was part of this movie should be proud for the rest of their lives: an irish independent production with a small budget of a few thousand dollars conquered the world, and this song ended up winning an Oscar. That's absolutely incredible. It is still one of my favorite movies, it's raw, it's real.. I couldn't ask for anything more.
@user-wh5ir4fo4r
I don't think anyone could have said this better.
@LostCaper
Tormtally agree. My niece is playing with him tonight in New York
@flashelek86
Yes. And Yes. This song has been, and will most likely will be one of the most memorable piece of music of my life. I still remember the first time I heard it and why it became so special. It will always be special. :)
@Iker122
if A Star Is Born got so much recognition, this should've had more
@kindilanklein5573
Yeah none of the others compare to Once!!
@smileandthankgod4669
Agree. Sing Street too, that was a good movie
@tonygraves7367
Yes yes yes
@riesabass
Shallow and this one give me same amount of cry everytime i hear both of them. even when i wasn't saw A Star Is Born even once, like i saw Once like 20 times... still crying... i'm a pussy :/
@Dave-yv9hw
This movie won an Oscar. 😅