Gold
Andy Partridge/XTC Lyrics
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Looks as if your nine lives have left town
When you paint in grey and drear
Eldorado won't appear
To run his sword through all the fears that pull you down
And it's okay, for the setting sun
Will colour everything around you gold
Will colour everything around you gold
Looks as if you need a lighthouse in your dark
Looks as if I'm now your native guide
When the fog is drawing in
Snarling dragons break to grin
And trample over all the things that pull you down
And it's okay...
And all those pebbles in your shoes are precious stones
And all the skeletons in closets
Merely piles of harmless bones
...And it's okay, as the setting sun
Will colour everything around you gold
Even though it's brown, you'll
See your old brick town go gold
The first stanza of Gold by Andy Partridge/XTC portrays the singer's observation of a person going through a difficult time. The singer acknowledges that it appears as though the person has lost hope due to the abundance of shattered mirrors, suggesting a loss of reflection or self-awareness, and the lack of vitality, symbolized by the absence of the lives. In painting dull, gray artwork, the person cannot see the beauty that life may have to offer. The gold aura of life only sheds its light when the person can be spirited and hopeful to defend his fears.
In the second stanza, the singer provides support by functioning as a lighthouse in the individual's darkest time. The fog serves to obscure the person's desired path, and the singer's concern is to lead the way. The dragons represent the individual's problems or anxieties who cannot significantly harm those who believe and remain optimistic. This lack of concern from them indicates the importance of retaining a positive and peaceful outlook, despite the circumstances. Ultimately, the setting sun will cover everything with golden light, even the young tower blocks that seem dull and lifeless.
Line by Line Meaning
Looks as if you're dropping mirrors by the gross
It appears that you are breaking a lot of mirrors.
Looks as if your nine lives have left town
It seems like you've run out of luck or opportunities.
When you paint in grey and drear
When you create something with a gloomy and dull atmosphere.
Eldorado won't appear
A symbol for a lost, fictional utopia that can't be attained.
To run his sword through all the fears that pull you down
To conquer the things that hold you back.
And it's okay, for the setting sun
Will colour everything around you gold
It's alright, the sunset will make everything look beautiful.
Looks as if you need a lighthouse in your dark
You seem like you need guidance or help.
Looks as if I'm now your native guide
It appears that I'm here to help you now.
When the fog is drawing in
Snarling dragons break to grin
And trample over all the things that pull you down
When everything seems hopeless, unexpected sources of strength and power can emerge to help you overcome obstacles.
And all those pebbles in your shoes are precious stones
The things that weigh you down can actually be valuable and beneficial.
And all the skeletons in closets
Merely piles of harmless bones
The things that scare you or hold you back are actually insignificant and harmless.
...And it's okay, as the setting sun
Will colour everything around you gold
Even though it's brown, you'll
See your old brick town go gold
It's alright, even if things seem dull or unimpressive, the sunset will make them look beautiful and golden.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDY PARTRIDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind