Prayer For The Dying
席尔(Seal) Lyrics
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Ah, ho-oo-oh-oo
Fearless people,
Careless needle.
Harsh words spoken,
And lives are broken.
Forceful ageing,
Help me I'm fading.
Heaven's waiting,
It's time to move on.
Crossing that bridge,
With lessons I've learned.
Playing with fire,
And not getting burned.
I may not know what you're going through.
But time is the space,
Between me and you.
Life carries on... It goes on.
Just say die,
And that would be pessimistic.
In your mind,
We can walk across the water.
Please don't cry,
It's just a prayer for the dying.
I just don't know what's got into me.
Been crossin' that bridge,
With lessons I've learned.
... Learned...............
Playing with fire,
And not getting burned.
... Burned burned...
I may not know what you're going through,
But time is the space,
Between me and you. (L)
There is a light through that window
... Light through that window...
Hold on say yes, while people say no
Life carries on
... On on on...
Ohh!
It goes on.... Oh-ee-oh, whoa-ee-oh ho oh...
I'm crossing that bridge, (L)
With lessons I've learned.... (L)
I'm playing with fire, (L)
And not getting burned.... (L)
I may not know what you're going through.
But time is the space,
Between me and you. (L)
There is a light through that window. (L)
Hold on say yes, while people say no
'Cause life carries on.... Oh-ee-oh, whoa-ee-oh ho on...
It goes on.... Oh-ee-on,
It goes on.
Whoah.
Whoah.
Life carries on.
When nothing else matters.
When nothing else matters.
I just don't know what's got into me.
It's just a prayer for the dying.
... Dying dying dying dying...
For the dying.
“Prayer for the Dying” by Seal is a song that is rich in metaphors and imagery. The lyrics focus on the harsh realities of life and the inevitability of death. The song begins with a reference to drug addiction and the destructive consequences it can have on people's lives. The words “fearless people, careless needle” suggest the reckless and dangerous behavior that often accompanies drug use. The singer then goes on to describe the pain and suffering caused by hurtful words and unkind actions, juxtaposed with the idea of “forceful ageing” and the concept of moving on to a better place. The bridge in the song represents the journey of life with all its lessons learned, while playing with fire and not getting burned is a metaphor for taking risks without severe consequences. The theme of life's transience echoes through the lyrics, with the repeated assertion that though the storyteller does not know what another person's struggles are, “time is the space” that separates people.
The chorus of the song seems to express a yearning for transcendence or some higher power beyond the material and physical world. The desire to go beyond the limits of human experience and “walk across the water” is a symbol of faith or hope for a better future. There is a sense of hopefulness and belief in the goodness of life, even amidst the suffering and pain that also characterizes it. The ultimate message of the song is that despite the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, there is a reason to hold on and keep going. Through the metaphor of prayer for the dying, Seal encourages his listeners to find meaning and purpose in life, even when all else seems uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Fearless people,
Careless needle.
Some people are fearless and brave, but they engage in risky behaviors like drug use that put their lives in danger.
Harsh words spoken,
And lives are broken.
When people speak unkindly to or about others, it can lead to emotional pain and damage to relationships.
Forceful ageing,
Help me I'm fading.
Heaven's waiting,
It's time to move on.
As people age, they may feel like they are losing their strength or vitality, and accept that it is time to pass on to the next life.
Crossing that bridge,
With lessons I've learned.
Playing with fire,
And not getting burned.
The artist has taken risks in life, but has learned from their mistakes and avoided negative consequences.
I may not know what you're going through.
But time is the space,
Between me and you.
The artist cannot fully understand someone else's experiences or emotions, but acknowledges that each person's life is defined by the time they have, and the choices they make.
Life carries on... It goes on.
Life continues on, regardless of what happens to individuals or the world.
Just say die,
And that would be pessimistic.
In your mind,
We can walk across the water.
Giving up hope or resigning oneself to failure is a negative outlook on life; instead, one can choose to focus on what is possible, even if it seems impossible to others.
Please don't cry,
It's just a prayer for the dying.
The artist is offering comfort and solace to those who are facing mortality, both for themselves and for others.
There is a light through that window
Hold on say yes, while people say no
Even when it seems like others are negative or doubtful, the artist encourages the listener to focus on the possibility of finding hope and light in difficult times.
When nothing else matters.
In moments of extreme emotion or crisis, the things that normally seem important may become less significant or completely irrelevant.
It's just a prayer for the dying.
The singer is acknowledging the fragility of human life and offering a prayer for those who are facing death.
Contributed by Julia D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.