One Great Thing
Big Country Lyrics


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If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
If there's one great day, if there's one great height
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
I've seen too much of what fighting has done
I've seen too much anger and I've seen it far too young
And talk will come to nothing
While the shouting still goes on
But we are only singers
And too many songs are sung
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
If there's one great day, if there's one great height
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
I've seen the way of martyrs and I've seen the way of kings
I've seen the hope that love can bring
I only hope what pleases me will also pleasure you
For mine can never be the hands that make a dream come true
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
If there's one great day, if there's one great height
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
I've seen too much of what fighting has done
I've seen too much anger and I've seen it far too young
I've seen the way of martyrs and I've seen the way of kings
I've seen the hope that love can bring
I only hope what pleases me will also pleasure you
For mine can never be the hands that make a dream come true
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
If there's one great day, if there's one great height
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
If there's one great day, if there's one great height
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
If there's one great thing
To happen in my life
If there's one great day, if there's one great height
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right




If there's one great thing
To happen in my life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Big Country's song "One Great Thing" express a strong desire for peace and an end to conflict. The singer acknowledges that they have witnessed too much destruction and violence, and they long for a more positive future. The phrase "if there's one great thing to happen in my life" is repeated throughout the song, driving home the point that this is the most important thing to the singer. They have seen the way of martyrs and the way of kings, but they recognize that it is ultimately love and hope that can make a real difference in the world.


The lyrics also touch on the limitations of the singer's own power. They acknowledge that they are "only singers" and that they cannot single-handedly make their vision of peace a reality. However, they hope that their message will resonate with others and inspire positive change. Ultimately, the song's message is one of hope and optimism in the face of challenging circumstances.


Line by Line Meaning

If there's one great thing
There is one thing that would make my life truly great


To happen in my life
I am referring to an event or experience that would bring me profound joy and fulfillment


If there's one great day, if there's one great height
This amazing thing could be a singular moment or achievement, something that brings me to a high point in my life


Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right
I hope that this one great thing will be a moment of peace and justice, something that makes the world a better place


I've seen too much of what fighting has done
I have observed the devastating effects that conflict and aggression can have on individuals and society as a whole


I've seen too much anger and I've seen it far too young
I have witnessed the harmful impact of anger, and how it can affect people at a young age


And talk will come to nothing
I understand that words alone cannot always solve problems or create change


While the shouting still goes on
Despite this, people may continue to argue or raise their voices, without making any real progress


But we are only singers
I am acknowledging that, as a musician, I can only do so much to effect change


And too many songs are sung
There are many artists who write and perform songs about peace and unity, but these messages may not always be heeded


I've seen the way of martyrs and I've seen the way of kings
I have observed the actions and legacies of great leaders throughout history, including those who were willing to sacrifice everything for their cause


I've seen the hope that love can bring
Despite the challenges, I am inspired by the power of love to bring people together and create positive change


I only hope what pleases me will also pleasure you
If this one great thing were to happen, I would hope that others would find joy and fulfillment in it as well


For mine can never be the hands that make a dream come true
As much as I wish for this great thing to happen, I understand that I cannot make it happen on my own




Lyrics ยฉ BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BUTLER ADAMSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

The Power Station

If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.
If there's one great day, if there's one great height.
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right.
If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.

I've seen too much of what fighting has done.
I've seen too much anger and I've seen it far too young.
And talk will come to nothing.
While the shouting still goes on.
But we are only singers.
And too many songs are sung.

If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.
If there's one great day, if there's one great height.
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right.
If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.

Ive seen the way of martyrs and I've seen the way of Kings.
I've seen the hope that love can bring.
I only hope what pleases me will also pleasure you.
For mine can never be the hands that make a dream come true.

If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.
If there's one great day, if there's one great height.
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right.
If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.

I've seen too much of what fighting has done.
I've seen too much anger and I've seen it far too young.
I've seen the way of martyrs and I've seen the way of Kings.
I've seen the hope that love can bring.
I only hope what pleases me will also pleasure you.
For mine can never be the hands that make a dream come true.

If there's one great thing to happen in my life.
If there's one great day, if there's one great height.
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right.
If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.

If there's one great thing to happen in my life.
If there's one great day, if there's one great height.
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right.
If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.
If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.
If there's one great day, if there's one great height.
Let it be the time for peace, let it be the time of right.
If there's one great thing.
To happen in my life.

I do not own the copyright.

Source : LyricFind
Songwriters : Butler / Adamson
One Great Thing lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management. US, LLC



All comments from YouTube:

Micheal Kelliher

Big Country with their unique bagpipe guitar sound. Nobody in the world sounded like them. Poor Stuart RIP 2002, 20 year's ago this year! My God.
Big Country were Scotland. I'm from Ireland, and I absolutely loved Big Country.
They should have been bigger than U2.

Brian Donnelly

I'd 2nd you mate BC for ever ๐Ÿ˜‰

Alfie Kelly

I am a huge BC fan and was lucky to work with them a few times. They are undoubtably Scotland's finest. But Mark and Tony are English and Stuart was born in England!

The Power Station

If there's one great thing it's Big Country. I was so lucky to see them live more than once. Rest in Peace always Stuart. You are loved. โœŒ๏ธ ๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ™ ๐Ÿ˜Š ๐Ÿ‘‘

Lisa Knell

The Power Station I never did. One of the greatest regrets of my life. ๐Ÿ˜ข

Padraig Cronin

A brilliant song that speaks to all, regardless of nationality. Have we not all yearned for that One Great Thing? I love that poignant line where the medalled veterans sing "...and I've seen it far too young".

Sonja Ravenscroft

A song with a positive message....a rarity in this day :)

Kyle The Pug

Can't we have great music like this today?

Zero Channel Zero

I never get tired of watching this video when I need a reminder that the world doesn't (always) suck. Stuart said he hated making videos, but I think this is about as perfect as it gets. LOVE the band channeling their inner Temptations @ 2:36 :D

dirtyjew1974

absolutly fantastic group and well deserving of every bit of recognition they've ever gotten and probably more!

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