Writing On The Wall
Blackmore's Night Lyrics


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Is it powers of intuition?
Is it insecurity?
You know I can read your mind and
You have been deceiving me...

Which face wears the masque this evening?
When will your true colors show?
Will they be as black as shadows
Hiding 'neath the rainbow...

Had my heart on a silver chain
With the words engraved
"I loved you"...
Like a swan that was lost at sea
I lost all of me
To you...
Now I see the writing on the wall...

Paranoia or perception?
Put your faith in a liar's hands
Wanting to believe his words
But never knowing where he stands...

There's too many misconceptions
In this game of consequence




When you're finding that your hero
Is just who you're up againstâ?¦

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Blackmore's Night's song Writing on the Wall express a feeling of distrust and confusion towards a loved one who has been deceitful. The first verse suggests that the singer can sense that their partner has been lying to them, whether it's due to their own intuition or the partner's insecurity. The second verse asks a series of rhetorical questions, wondering which version of their partner is the real one, and if their true self will be as dark as the shadows hidden beneath a rainbow. The singer feels hurt and betrayed, having dedicated themselves to the relationship through the metaphor of a heart on a silver chain engraved with the words "I loved you." The singer likens their experience to a swan lost at sea, as they have lost themselves in loving someone who has not been truthful.


The song then shifts towards a broader theme of deception and betrayals. The bridge questions whether the perception of deception is paranoia or a genuine perception of the truth. The chorus repeats the metaphor of "writing on the wall," suggesting that the signs of deceit were there all along, but the singer was blinded by love and ignored them. The final verse touches on the idea that people can be heroes or villains depending on the perspective, creating a sense of ambiguity and confusion.


Line by Line Meaning

Is it powers of intuition?
Do you have a strong sense of what is going on?


Is it insecurity?
Are you feeling doubtful?


You know I can read your mind and
I can clearly understand what you're thinking


You have been deceiving me...
You have been hiding the truth from me


Which face wears the masque this evening?
Who are you pretending to be tonight?


When will your true colors show?
When will you reveal your true personality?


Will they be as black as shadows
Are your traits bad and dark?


Hiding 'neath the rainbow...
Are you hiding behind something exceptional?


Had my heart on a silver chain
I was deeply in love with you


With the words engraved
I had written my emotions for you


"I loved you"...
I had loved you dearly


Like a swan that was lost at sea
I was lost in my love for you


I lost all of me
I had given everything to you


To you...
For your love


Now I see the writing on the wall...
Now I understand what is happening around me


Paranoia or perception?
Am I worrying too much or seeing things too clearly?


Put your faith in a liar's hands
Believe in someone who will only deceive you


Wanting to believe his words
Desire to trust what he's saying


But never knowing where he stands...
Never able to understand his motives


There's too many misconceptions
Too many misunderstandings


In this game of consequence
In this situation that will have an outcome


When you're finding that your hero
When you realize the one you thought was your savior


Is just who you're up againstâ?¦
Is your rival in the end.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CANDICE NIGHT, RITCHIE BLACKMORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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