Toil and Trouble
Belle's Wake Lyrics
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Something wicked this way comes
Forsaken parts
We are the sum
Lead the pack now
Down haunted roads, a thought betrayed
Into the night
Devils wade
Thrown to the sirens
The dashing rocks bemoan
Finally its time we made our way for home
For home, because all the while
My heart, my heart, sings from its cage
Toil and Trouble
Brace yourself child and beware
Into the sun
Angels dare
Breathe, relax now
Your faith is pouring gold with hate
Brother hear the past
And steer away
Thrown to the sirens
The dashing rocks bemoan
Finally its time we made our way for home
For home, because all the while
My heart, my heart, sings from its cage
Well alone walks a man
Who must think where he stands
Always thrown out the door
By the rising urge for more
For glory stalks and
As he walks his feet to sleep
He notices a dying dream
That is growing more bold
Above his shoulder
And I say woe be to man
Your love's an open sore
And your righteousness has
Tried so hard to hide our scars with gold
So tell me
Is it raining
Is it pouring
Is a hurricane a blowing
A hymn emerges from the night
And reaches for the note and I say
Sing on
Sing on
Sing on
Sing on
The song "Toil and Trouble" by Belle's Wake is a powerful and haunting piece that touches on themes of chaos, desperation, and the search for meaning in a cruel world. The lyrics convey a sense of unease and anticipation, as if something wicked is indeed on its way. The imagery of forsaken parts and haunted roads adds to the eerie atmosphere, creating a feeling of dread that is only heightened by the references to devils and sirens.
The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "Toil and Trouble," serves to underline the song's themes of struggle and hardship. The words "brace yourself child and beware" suggest that the listener should be prepared for the worst, while the reference to angels daring to fly into the sun adds a note of defiance and hopefulness. The second verse addresses the idea of faith and its potential to be corrupted by hate, urging the listener to steer away from the mistakes of the past.
The final verse takes a more personal turn, telling the story of a man who is struggling to find his place in the world. The reference to a "dying dream" is particularly poignant, suggesting that this man has lost sight of his goals and ideals. The line "your love's an open sore" adds an element of vulnerability and raw emotion to the song, as does the repeated refrain of "sing on." Ultimately, "Toil and Trouble" is a song that speaks to the human experience of pain, confusion, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems harsh and unyielding.
Line by Line Meaning
Mad blood stirring
Emotions of agitation and restlessness are stirring within
Something wicked this way comes
An ominous presence or situation is approaching that we should be wary of
Forsaken parts
Neglected or abandoned areas/websites of our lives
We are the sum
Our current situation and being are the result of all of our past experiences and decisions
Lead the pack now
It is time to take charge and guide others through difficult times
Down haunted roads, a thought betrayed
Through treacherous paths filled with haunting memories, a long-held belief or idea has been betrayed
Into the night
Venturing into the unknown, possibly dangerous darkness
Devils wade
There are evil forces lurking or actively interfering with our journey
Thrown to the sirens
Being lured or entranced by something alluring, but ultimately dangerous
The dashing rocks bemoan
Even the unfeeling natural environment expresses sorrow for our situation
Finally its time we made our way for home
After much struggle, it is time to finally return to a place of safety and comfort
For home, because all the while
The reason for returning home is because, throughout the ordeal, our heart has been yearning for it
My heart, my heart, sings from its cage
Despite the trials we've faced, our heart is alive and hopeful
Toil and Trouble
Life is often filled with hard work and difficulty, but it is also challenging and exciting
Brace yourself child and beware
Prepare yourself for what's to come, and be cautious
Into the sun
Head towards a bright future, but the journey ahead will still be tough
Angels dare
Even good forces take risks in order to achieve something great
Breathe, relax now
Take a moment to take in one's surroundings and calm down
Your faith is pouring gold with hate
Even in the worst situations, faith can provide a glimmer of hope ('pouring gold') despite feelings of anger ('with hate')
Brother hear the past
Listen to and learn from the lessons of the past
And steer away
Use that knowledge to avoid making the same mistakes
Well alone walks a man
One faces many trials and tribulations alone
Who must think where he stands
One must consider their place and their purpose in life
Always thrown out the door
Often rejected or dismissed, despite best efforts
By the rising urge for more
Driven by ambition, even if it may be detrimental to oneself or others
For glory stalks and
The desire for fame or recognition is a powerful, almost menacing force
As he walks his feet to sleep
Even while worn out, one must keep persisting
He notices a dying dream
Realizes that one's hope or goal may not be achievable
That is growing more bold
Despite this realization, there is still some sense of determination and resilience
Above his shoulder
A thought or idea that follows, guides, or motivates him
And I say woe be to man
A lamentation or warning directed towards the hardships humans face
Your love's an open sore
Love can be painful and leave one vulnerable
And your righteousness has
Even one's good intentions or morality can have unforeseen consequences
Tried so hard to hide our scars with gold
We try to cover up our wounds or flaws with something that appears valuable or pure
So tell me
An inquiry or prompt for an answer
Is it raining
Are things going poorly or against our favor
Is it pouring
Are things going especially badly or disastrously
Is a hurricane a blowing
Are we in the midst of a major crisis or conflict
A hymn emerges from the night
Even in the midst of darkness, there is a glimmer of hope or beauty
And reaches for the note and I say
A call to action, to join in song or in striving for a better future
Sing on
Keep pushing forward, keep moving towards a better tomorrow
Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.