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Song for Zula
Phosphorescent Lyrics


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Some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
Oh, but I know love as a fading thing
Just as fickle as a feather in a stream
See, honey, I saw love
You see it came to me
It put its face up to my face so I could see
Yeah, then I saw love disfigure me
Into something I am not recognizing

See the cage, it called, I said, "Come on in"
I will not open myself up this way again
And lay my face to the soil, and all my teeth to the sand
I will not lay like this for days now upon end
You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand
To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands
You see the cage it called, I said, "Come on in"
I will not open myself this way again

You see the moon is bright in that treetop night
I see the shadows that we cast in the cold clean light
Now my feet are gold and my heart is white
And we race out on the desert plains all night
See, honey, I am not some broken thing
I do not lay in the dark waiting for thee
Now my heart is gold, my feet are light
And I'm racing out on the desert plains all night

So some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
Oh, but I know love as a caging thing
Just a killer come to call from some awful dream
Ah, and all you folks, you come to see
You just stand there in the glass looking at me
But my heart is wild, and my bones are steel
And I could kill you with my bare hands if I was free

Overall Meaning

The song "Song for Zula" by Phosphorescent is a melancholic ballad that touches upon the subject of love, and how it can both transform and cage a person. The song has a poetic quality to its lyrics, and singer/songwriter Matthew Houck delivers them with emotional rawness. The opening lines, "Some say love is a burning thing, that it makes a fiery ring", sets up the traditional romantic notion of love as something passionate and intense. But the following lines, "Oh, but I know love as a fading thing, just as fickle as a feather in a stream", contrasts with the first two, suggesting that love is not a constant force, but something that ebbs and flows.


As the song progresses, the singer describes how love disfigured him, and how he avoids falling into its trap again. The lines "See the cage, it called, I said, 'Come on in'/I will not open myself up this way again" suggest that he has been hurt by love before, and is now wary of opening himself up to it again. The imagery of the "cage" also highlights the idea of love as a trapping force. However, towards the end of the song, there is a shift in tone, as the singer declares that he is not a broken thing and that his heart is now "gold". He also describes himself as being wild and strong, with "bones of steel", which contrasts with the vulnerability expressed earlier in the song.


Overall, "Song for Zula" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love, and how it can both transform and cage a person. The lyrics are poetic and emotionally charged, and the song is executed with soulful intensity.


Line by Line Meaning

Some say love is a burning thing
Love has been described as something that is intense and passionate.


That it makes a fiery ring
Love has the power to consume people and create a sense of burning desire.


Oh, but I know love as a fading thing
The singer has experienced love as something that fades and diminishes over time.


Just as fickle as a feather in a stream
Love can be unpredictable and easily swayed, like a feather that is carried by a stream.


See, honey, I saw love
The artist has experienced love firsthand.


You see it came to me
Love came to the singer unexpectedly.


It put its face up to my face so I could see
Love presented itself to the singer in a way that was impossible to ignore or deny.


Yeah, then I saw love disfigure me
The artist's experiences with love have resulted in changes or transformations that they do not recognize or are uncomfortable with.


Into something I'm not recognizing
The artist feels as though the changes brought on by love have made them unrecognizable to themselves or others.


See the cage, it called, I said, "Come on in"
The artist is describing a feeling of being trapped or confined by the idea of love.


I will not open myself up this way again
The singer has been hurt by love and doesn't want to experience that pain again.


And lay my face to the soil, and all my teeth to the sand
The artist is using imagery to show the extent to which they don't want to be vulnerable and hurt by love again.


I will not lay like this for days now upon end
The singer is expressing a determination to not let themselves be hurt by love again for an extended period of time.


You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand
The singer doesn't want anyone to see them be vulnerable or struggle with the pain of love again.


To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands
The singer is showing a fear of being hurt by someone who they perceive as being old or unattractive.


You see the cage it called, I said, "Come on in"
The artist is reiterating their feeling of being confined and trapped by love.


I will not open myself this way again
The artist is showing a determination to not let themselves be hurt by love again.


You see the moon is bright in that treetop night
The singer is using imagery to describe a beautiful and peaceful scene.


I see the shadows that we cast in the cold clean light
The singer is contrasting their perspective with that of others, who they perceive as being too focused on beauty and light.


Now my feet are gold and my heart is white
The artist is feeling empowered and inspired by their newfound freedom.


And we race out on the desert plains all night
The artist is describing the freedom and joy they feel in the absence of love.


See, honey, I am not some broken thing
The artist is showing a newfound sense of confidence and strength after coming out of a difficult experience with love.


I do not lay in the dark waiting for thee
The singer is not dependent on love or anyone else for their happiness or well-being.


Now my heart is gold, my feet are light
The artist is feeling empowered and inspired by their newfound freedom.


And I'm racing out on the desert plains all night
The singer is describing the freedom and joy they feel in the absence of love.


So some say love is a burning thing
The singer is returning to the idea that love can be passionate and intense, but they are offering a different perspective.


That it makes a fiery ring
Love has the power to consume and envelop people, creating a sense of intense emotion or desire.


Oh, but I know love as a caging thing
The artist is showing a negative experience with love, wherein they felt trapped or confined.


Just a killer come to call from some awful dream
Love can be dangerous and bring about negative consequences, including pain or heartbreak.


Ah, and all you folks, you come to see
The singer is addressing a group of people or audience who are interested in their story or experience.


You just stand there in the glass looking at me
Despite others' interest in the singer's experience, they feel disconnected or isolated from those around them.


But my heart is wild, and my bones are steel
The artist is showing a newfound sense of confidence and inner strength after coming out of a difficult experience with love.


And I could kill you with my bare hands if I was free
The artist is showing a metaphorical strength and power, not a literal one, and expressing a desire to be free from the pain and burden of love.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Matthew Houck

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@logowilliams3250

Some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
Oh but I know love as a fading thing
Just as fickle as a feather in a stream
See, honey, I saw love,
You see it came to me
It puts its face up to my face so I could see
Yeah then I saw love disfigure me
Into something I am not recognizing

See the cage, it called. I said, come on in
I will not open myself up this way again
Nor lay my face to the soil, nor my teeth to the sand
I will not lay like this for days now upon end
You will not see me fall, nor see me struggle to stand
To be acknowledged by some touch from his gnarled hands
You see the cage it called. I said, come on in
I will not open myself this way again.

You see the moon is bright in that treetop night
I see the shadows that we cast in the cold clean light
I might fear I go and my heart is white
And we race right out on the desert plains all night
So honey I am now, some broken thing
I do not lay in the dark waiting for day here
Now my heart is gold, my feet are right
And I'm racing out on the desert plains all night

So some say love is a burning thing
That it makes a fiery ring
All that I know love as a caging thing
Just a killer come to call from some awful dream
And all you folks, you come to see
You just to stand there in the glass looking at me
But my heart is wild, and my bones are steel
And I could kill you with my bare hands if I was free



All comments from YouTube:

@gingerjones5931

My daughter who died by suicide in 2015 recommended this to me in an old email. I am revisiting old emails as a cathartic. She died at 33, my only child. We shared a love of music that moved us deeply, not necessarily the radios top 10 favs. I miss her. I feel her in the depth of this recommended great deeply moving song. I love it. Thank you!

@ragulkpm

I am sorry for your loss..

@philippevuagniaux1125

@Ragul K. P. Mohan I'm a father. Hey. I don't know what to say. But, as far we can be, I hug you. Words mean nothing. but there's a stupid man from Switzerland who is thinking about your pain. Bisous

@cassandra2249

So sorry Ginger Jones, death seems to take from us the people we love the most. Grieving myself and know how you feel.

@petronioombretta1776

No most devastanting pain that survive the children's' loss...sorry for you ..

@arpitsarkar5718

Ginger I don't know you but I love you! Your daughter is no longer suffering and in a happy place right now and you shall be reunited with her. Lots of love🧡💛

328 More Replies...

@roxie3442

Sometimes, when you find a great song, it feels like the song actually found you.

@FZ779

What is the meaning of "Zula"?

@MegaSockenschuss

@ııllı ııllı It's a (female) name.

@FZ779

@Klaus Klausewitz thanks Mate :)

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