Open Your Eyes
Archer Avenue Lyrics


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Monday I drifted away
With some coffee to keep me awake
And I sang to you one final time
As this hopelessness shut up your eyes

Tuesday I woke with the dawn
And put my old wedding ring on
She said time is a fickle mistress
You can drink but you'll never fool it

I am invisible to you
All on my own, what can I do?
Southbound is heaven
This city is sin

Wednesday I hung from a tree
Hoping that she'd notice me
And she bathed all my wounds in her tears
And showered me with sympathy

Thursday was harder to take
With these pills piled high on my plate
So I swallowed each one in a haste
And in a cascade of light I was saved

I am invisible to you
All on my own, what can I do?
Southbound is heaven
This city is sin

She says I'm sorry my darling
Time stole the joy we were hiding
I am in love and this child is yours

And I don't want to live in this lie
And let darkness just cover my eyes




And I'm trying to get myself clean
But it's all I can to do just scream

Overall Meaning

The song "Open Your Eyes" by Archer Avenue is a poignant exploration of the human condition, particularly the feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and despair. The song tells a story of a man who drifts away into his thoughts on a Monday, hoping to keep himself awake with coffee, and sings to someone important to him for the last time as they fall asleep. The following Tuesday, he puts on his old wedding ring, but the woman he loves tells him that time is a "fickle mistress" and he can never fool it no matter how much he drinks. The man feels invisible and helpless, overwhelmed by his loneliness in this city of sin where heading south is the only way to find heaven.


On Wednesday, the man is so desperate for attention and affection that he hangs from a tree, hoping someone will notice him. Eventually, a caring woman does come and nurse him, bathing his wounds and showering him with sympathy. On Thursday, the man is so distraught that he takes a large number of pills to end his life, but instead experiences a cascade of light and is saved. He sings about his struggles to get clean and let go of the darkness that has been overwhelming him. The song ends with the woman he loves revealing that she is sorry for what they have been through, but that their love has brought a child into the world.


The lyrics of "Open Your Eyes" hit home for many people who have experienced feelings of inadequacy and sorrow, but the song also carries a message of hope and perseverance. The man in the song tries multiple times to end his pain, but ultimately finds salvation in unexpected ways. The song reminds listeners that despite the hardships we may face, we must fight to keep going and seek help from those who care about us.


Line by Line Meaning

Monday I drifted away
On Monday, I became distant from reality


With some coffee to keep me awake
I had coffee to stay awake


And I sang to you one final time
I sang to you for the last time


As this hopelessness shut up your eyes
Your eyes closed from the hopelessness


Tuesday I woke with the dawn
I woke up early on Tuesday


And put my old wedding ring on
I wore my old wedding ring


She said time is a fickle mistress
She said time is unpredictable


You can drink but you'll never fool it
Drinking won't change time


I am invisible to you
You can't see me


All on my own, what can I do?
I'm alone and helpless


Southbound is heaven
Going south is like heaven


This city is sin
This city is immoral


Wednesday I hung from a tree
On Wednesday, I hung from a tree


Hoping that she'd notice me
Wanting her to notice me


And she bathed all my wounds in her tears
She cried and helped heal my wounds


And showered me with sympathy
She sympathized with me


Thursday was harder to take
Thursday was more difficult


With these pills piled high on my plate
I had many pills to take


So I swallowed each one in a haste
I quickly swallowed all the pills


And in a cascade of light I was saved
I was saved by a burst of light


She says I'm sorry my darling
She apologized to me


Time stole the joy we were hiding
Time took away our happiness


I am in love and this child is yours
I love you and our child is yours


And I don't want to live in this lie
I don't want to live a lie


And let darkness just cover my eyes
I don't want to give in to despair


And I'm trying to get myself clean
I'm trying to become a better person


But it's all I can to do just scream
But sometimes I feel like screaming is all I can do




Contributed by Tyler M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@BTTB

This is beautiful.

@MarlonOwnsYourCake

after hearing the margot version so much, this feels way too fast.

@CBaker-tz5lv

Doubtful anyone answers me, but anyone know where I can get this? I saw they're another band now, but the newer version isn't even available. This song is breathtaking to my ears.

@paulaperez-rodriguez7453

CBaker0725 This worked for me: http://www.mp3mobile.me/mp3/Archer+Avenue

@sacrilege_gaming664

CBaker0725 https://www.mediafire.com/folder/tkdyaiafa35eo/Archer+Avenue-+I+was+an+astronaut

@nolanwolfe

CD from 2003 Available on Discogs

Vinyl reissue from 2013 on Mariel Recording Company’s BandCamp (sold out, probably forever)
Still available on Discogs

Digitally released to Spotify 2022

@forever.endeavor

Monday I woke with the dawn,
And put my old wedding ring on
Time is a fickle mistress
You can drink but you’ll never fool it

@nolanwolfe

I am invisible to you

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