The dance
Art Bears Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I trod the mazes in my prime

I learned the dance.
I called the clew back
Through my youth, as
I recalled entranced;
Exited, I sought the centre:
– learning
That only when we settle with




The past
Can we advance

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Art Bears's song The Dance describe a journey of self-discovery and acceptance of one's past in order to move forward. The singer speaks of treading through the mazes of life during their prime, and in doing so, they learned the dance. This dance could represent the rhythm or the pattern of life, with the singer describing how they called the clew back through their youth as they recalled entranced. Here, the clew could represent a ball of thread that Theseus used to escape the labyrinth, suggesting that the singer is also trying to escape the mazes of their life.


The idea of reaching the centre is also mentioned, which could be interpreted as reaching a place of stability or an understanding of one's self. This enlightenment is achieved through learning that only when we settle with the past can we advance. This idea supports the notion that in order to move forward, it is necessary to come to terms with one's past and accept it.


Overall, the lyrics of The Dance encourage the listener to reflect on their experience and recognize the importance of acceptance and moving forward.


Line by Line Meaning

I trod the mazes in my prime
I navigated complex paths during my youth


I learned the dance.
I gained knowledge and expertise


I called the clew back
I looked back and reflected


Through my youth, as
During my younger years,


I recalled entranced;
I remembered with fascination


Exited, I sought the centre:
Determined, I searched for the truth


learning
I gained knowledge


That only when we settle with
Realizing that only when we come to terms with


The past
Our history


Can we advance
Can we move forward and progress




Contributed by Juliana K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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