Wish You Were Here
Avenged Sevenfold Lyrics
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Heaven from hell
Blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk-on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
And how we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
And how we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
The opening lines of Avenged Sevenfold's song Wish You Were Here serves as a philosophical question that reflects the uncertainties of life. The lyrics discuss themes of loss, displacement, and longing for a better life. The line "Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?" is a metaphor for the struggle to distinguish between positive and negative situations in life. Similarly, "Heaven from hell, blue skies from pain" portrays the challenges and unpredictability of life.
The song then goes on to discuss the emotional distress one goes through as they trade their morality and heroes for societal acceptance and material possession. This is shown in the lines "Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?" and "And did you exchange a walk on part in the war, for a lead role in a cage?" The singer then expresses their loneliness and their desire for a loved one's company. The repetition of "how I wish you were here" and "we're just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl" shows a sense of confinement and a yearning for something greater.
Overall, the song suggests that life is not always what it seems, and one should strive for the betterment of oneself and seek genuine relationships. It presents philosophical, existential, and emotional themes that many can identify with.
Line by Line Meaning
So, so you think you can tell
Do you believe that you have the ability to distinguish
Heaven from hell
The difference between a place of bliss and a place of torment
Blue skies from pain
The distinction between happiness and suffering
Can you tell a green field
Are you able to distinguish a lush landscape
From a cold steel rail?
From an unfeeling and harsh environment
A smile from a veil?
Do you recognize a genuine expression of happiness
Do you think you can tell?
Do you believe you have the ability to perceive these things
Did they get you to trade
Were you persuaded to sacrifice
Your heroes for ghosts?
Your idols for intangible and insubstantial ideals
Hot ashes for trees?
The remnants of destruction for the beauty of nature
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Empty rhetoric for refreshing thoughts
Cold comfort for change?
False solace for transformative growth
And did you exchange
And did you trade
A walk on part in the war
A minor, insignificant role in a conflict
For a lead role in a cage?
For a prominent position, but trapped and confined
How I wish, how I wish you were here
I desperately yearn for your presence, your guidance, and your support
We're just two lost souls
We are both wandering and aimless individuals
Swimming in a fish bowl
Trapped in a confining and cyclical existence
Year after year
Repeatedly and monotonously
Running over the same old ground
Continually experiencing the same situations
And how we found
And how we discovered
The same old fears
The recurring apprehensions and anxieties
Wish you were here
I truly desire and long for your presence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David Gilmour, Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paradigmaofficial4555
So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from hell
Blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
And how we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
And how we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
@puppets1979
This song was my late wife's favorite song by Floyd. She loved A7F and introduced me to them. This was published after she died and it hit me so hard when I just now heard this randomly on youtube. She used to play So Far Away all the time, ironically it is now a song I play to mourn her. Thank Avenged Seven Fold for this cover, it means more to me than you can imagine.
@oiilem5549
Michael Piersant Sorry to hear that :(
@mcrfan343
RIP
@DylG1111
RIP. She sounds like a very special person.
@fishingoutdoors4427
God speed brother
@nesopharyumnam8823
😢😢😢😢😢
@rockyvasquez25
My Dad is a Pink Floyd fan
And I’m an Avenged Sevenfold fan
I showed him this cover and he found it awesome
@Yoga819
Wow
@wizzngx1950
u call ur dad an it?
@tiastowell2546
@WiZzngx What,?!? Where did he call his Dad an "it"??... I literally read his comment 6x's cuz I thought I was missing something...I'm not and I'm shocked that someone else also believes this