Photograph
Alex M.O.R.P.H. feat. Roberta Harrison Lyrics
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Underneath the broken picture glass
Tender face of black and white
Beautiful, a haunting sight
Looked into an angel's smile
Captivated all the while
From the hair and clothes she wore
I'd place her in between the wars
Was she willing when she sat
And posed the pretty photograph?
Save her flowering and fair
The days to come, the days to share
A big smile for the camera
How did she know?
The moment could be lost forever (forever)
Forever more
I found this photograph (photograph)
Stashed between the old joist walls
In a place where time is lost
Lost behind, where all things fall
Broken books and calendars
Letters script in careful hand
Music, too, a standard tune by
Some forgotten big brass band
From the threshold what's to see
Of our brave new century?
The television's just a dream
The radio, the silver screen
A big smile for the camera
How did she know?
The moment could be lost forever (forever)
Forever more
Was her childhood filled with rhymes
Stolen hooks, impassioned crimes?
Was she innocent or blind
To the cruelty of her time?
Was she fearful in her day
Was she hopeful, did she pray?
Were there skeletons inside
Family secrets, sworn to hide?
Did she feel the heat that stirs
The fall from grace of wayward girls?
Was she tempted to pretend
The love and laughter, 'til the end?
In "Photograph," the singer discovers an old photograph and reflects on the beautiful but haunting image it captures. The photograph is of a "tender face" in black and white, with an "angel's smile" that captivates the singer. The woman in the photograph is wearing clothes that suggest she lived "between the wars," possibly during the early 20th century. The singer wonders whether she willingly posed for the photograph, or whether her innocence was stolen by the cruelty of her time. Were there skeletons in her closet, family secrets hidden away? Was she tempted to pretend, to live a life of love and laughter, in spite of it all?
The song is a poignant reflection on the complexities of human experience. It speaks to our shared sense of loss and longing, and our desire to understand the stories of those who came before us. The photograph is a reminder of the fragility of life, and of the fleeting moments that make up our existence. Yet it is also a testament to the power of memory, and the enduring nature of beauty, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I found this photograph
The singer discovered a photograph
Underneath the broken picture glass
The photograph was found under a damaged frame
Tender face of black and white
The subject of the photograph has a delicate, black and white face
Beautiful, a haunting sight
The photograph captures a lovely, yet eerie image
Looked into an angel's smile
The subject has an angelic smile
Captivated all the while
The singer was entranced by the photograph
From the hair and clothes she wore
The subject's attire suggests a particular time period
I'd place her in between the wars
The artist believes the photograph was taken during the time period between World War I and World War II
Was she willing when she sat
The artist wonders if the subject posed willingly for the photo
And posed the pretty photograph?
The subject is pictured in an attractive way
Save her flowering and fair
The photograph showcases the subject's youth and beauty
The days to come, the days to share
The subject still had many more days ahead of her and experiences to share
A big smile for the camera
The subject is smiling for the photo
How did she know?
The singer is questioning how the subject knew that this would be a significant moment
The moment could be lost forever (forever)
The singer is reflecting on how fleeting moments can be when captured in photos
Stashed between the old joist walls
The photograph was hidden between old boards
In a place where time is lost
The photograph was found in a location that seemed frozen in time
Lost behind, where all things fall
The place where the photograph was discovered is where things go out of sight and mind
Broken books and calendars
Among the other items found in the same location were damaged books and calendars
Letters script in careful hand
There were old letters written in fancy handwriting
Music, too, a standard tune by
Some sheet music was also found
Some forgotten big brass band
The sheet music was by a band that hasn't been remembered
From the threshold what's to see
The singer is commenting on the uncertain future
Of our brave new century?
The artist is reflecting on the dawn of a new century, full of unknowns
The television's just a dream
At the time the photograph was taken, television wasn't yet widespread
The radio, the silver screen
Radio and movies were the main forms of mass entertainment at the time of the photograph
Was her childhood filled with rhymes
The singer is unsure if the subject had a carefree childhood
Stolen hooks, impassioned crimes?
The artist wonders if the subject was involved in anything illicit
Was she innocent or blind
The artist questions if the subject truly knew the harsh realities of life
To the cruelty of her time?
The singer is acknowledging the difficult times in which the subject lived
Was she fearful in her day
The singer is probing whether the subject lived in fear
Was she hopeful, did she pray?
The artist is wondering if the subject had hope for the future
Were there skeletons inside
The artist suggests that the subject may have had hidden secrets
Family secrets, sworn to hide?
The artist is curious if the subject had family secrets that were purposely kept concealed
Did she feel the heat that stirs
The singer wonders if the subject experienced the same pressures and challenges as other young women of that time
The fall from grace of wayward girls?
The artist is referring to how women who didn't conform to society's standards were treated poorly
Was she tempted to pretend
The singer questions if the subject ever felt like she had to wear a façade of happiness
The love and laughter, 'til the end?
The singer contemplates if the subject continued to fake her emotions her whole life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: William Thomas Berry, Peter Lawrence Buck, Michael E. Mills, John Michael Stipe, Natalie A. Merchant, Ted Ottley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcintru364
Beautiful 😍
@jonathanmullett1042
Memories x
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@mjb6446
lmao
@atanvardo5730
Powerful remix!
@Jouni-V
Insane discovery! 💎