The City
Children 18:3 Lyrics
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Where the lights come on and they never go out
And the streets are filled with the children's shouts
I want to hear yous ing that song for me
I want to capture one at a time
All the little brown flecks that made my eyes go blind
All the wide-eyed splendor that I put in a frame
I want to tear it down and let it throw perspective insane
There's a ligh up in a box at the top of a post
Giving direction to the shadows that could use it the most
Well, turn aside pilgrim at the sound of her voice
It's wisdom herself that offers the choice
Oh, come to the city
We're taking over the world
We're taking over the world
We are the city
With the lights strung out on the evergreen trees
And the yard lit up so the neighbors can see
Come on and capture what you think you couldn't keep
Turn on the lightswitch and everything's bright
It doesn't even take a moment to erase the night
Well, how would it be if I knew this was true
If I opened my eyes and tried to help you
What good is salt if it stops being salty?
I tried to run but my cover was blown
What good is a map if it gives no direction?
And what good is home if it isn't your home?
Oh, come to the city
We're taking over the world
My momma said, "Son, you're a little man,
Listen to me and understand
Soon we're gonna take that car
And drive away wherever we are"
Let's go
We'll catch a ride to the city
Let's go
Where the streets are wide
Let's go
We'll catch a ride to the city
Let's go
The song "The City" by Children 18:3 begins by painting a picture of a bustling urban environment. The city is filled with constant lights and sounds from the children's shouts. The lead singer expresses a desire to capture these moments, whether it be through taking mental pictures or physically framing them. However, they also want to tear down these images to gain a different perspective.
The chorus then introduces a sense of community and empowerment within the city. The lyrics declare "We are the city," indicating a shared identity amongst those who inhabit it. This unity is reinforced through the repetition of the phrase "We're taking over the world."
As the song progresses, the singer shifts to a more introspective perspective. They question the effectiveness of their own actions and metaphors such as the lost savor of salt and the guideless map serve as symbols for the confusion and aimlessness the singer feels. The song concludes with a call to action, a desire to leave behind whatever was holding them back and take a ride to the city for a chance at a fresh start.
Overall, the lyrics of "The City" explore themes of identity, perspective, and community. The bustling and sometimes overwhelming city environment serves as a symbol for these concepts.
Line by Line Meaning
We are the city
We are a representation of everything that the city stands for.
Where the lights come on and they never go out
The city never sleeps, as evidenced by the constant illumination of its lights.
And the streets are filled with the children's shouts
The sounds of children playing are ubiquitous and unceasing, evidence of the vibrant and lively nature of the city.
I want to hear you sing that song for me
I want to be immersed in the urban experience, with its sights and sounds, and feel transported by the energy of it all.
I want to capture one at a time
I want to capture every single moment that I experience in the city, in order to savor them fully.
All the little brown flecks that made my eyes go blind
I want to capture even the most mundane elements of the urban experience, and appreciate them for what they are.
All the wide-eyed splendor that I put in a frame
I want to capture even the most grand and awe-inspiring elements of the urban experience, to treasure them forever.
I want to tear it down and let it throw perspective insane
I want to dismantle the illusions that I have created around the urban experience, and let the true essence of the city change my worldview.
There's a light up in a box at the top of a post
A street lamp shines down from its perch up high in the cityscape, offering illumination and direction to those below.
Giving direction to the shadows that could use it the most
The light illuminates those dark and hidden corners of the city that are most in need of direction and guidance.
Well, turn aside pilgrim at the sound of her voice
Those who are willing to listen to wisdom will have their lives forever transformed.
It's wisdom herself that offers the choice
Wisdom, personified and embodied in the city's experiences, offers a transformative choice to those who are willing to listen.
We are the city
We are a representation of everything that the city stands for.
With the lights strung out on the evergreen trees
Even nature is illuminated and changed by the city's energy, as evidenced by the lights strung out on evergreen trees.
And the yard lit up so the neighbors can see
The very boundaries of our private spaces are transformed by the city's light and energy, bringing them into the public realm.
Come on and capture what you think you couldn't keep
We should not shy away from capturing all that the city has to offer, no matter how fleeting or ephemeral those moments may seem.
Turn on the lightswitch and everything's bright
The simple act of turning on the lights can transform the very character of the space we are in, and bring us fully into the urban experience.
It doesn't even take a moment to erase the night
The city's energy is such that even the darkness of night can be overcome instantly, and replaced by its vibrant light and activity.
Well, how would it be if I knew this was true
How transformative would it be if we fully realized the power and energy that the city has to offer us?
If I opened my eyes and tried to help you
If we are willing to see the power and potential of the city, and act on it, we could be agents of change and transformation in our communities.
What good is salt if it stops being salty?
We must never lose sight of the essential character of the city, and what makes it special and unique.
I tried to run but my cover was blown
Our attempts to remain outside of the city's power and energy are always futile, as they will inevitably be exposed by the transformative experiences of city life.
What good is a map if it gives no direction?
Even the most detailed and complete maps of the city are useless if they do not offer meaningful direction and guidance to those trying to navigate its streets and alleys.
And what good is home if it isn't your home?
Without a sense of belonging and connection to the city, our homes become mere shells, and we lose the richness and depth that urban life can offer us.
We're taking over the world
The transformative energy and power of the city is not confined to its physical boundaries, but has the potential to change our world in profound and radical ways.
My momma said, "Son, you're a little man, Listen to me and understand
Our parents' wisdom and guidance is an essential part of navigating the complexities and challenges of urban life
Soon we're gonna take that car And drive away wherever we are"
The mobility and freedom that cars offer us are essential to truly embracing and experiencing all that the city has to offer.
Let's go
We can never be content to stand still in the city, as there is always more to explore and discover.
We'll catch a ride to the city
No matter where we are or how far we've traveled, we must always be willing to seek out and embrace the urban experience.
Let's go
Once we've glimpsed the infinite possibilities of urban life, we feel an irresistible urge to dive back in and experience it all again.
Where the streets are wide
The openness and expansiveness of urban streets are a reflection of the limitless opportunities and possibilities that the city holds.
Let's go
The transformative, life-changing energy of the city awaits us, if we are only willing to seek it out and embrace it.
Contributed by Liam I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.