Magic begins … Read Full Bio ↴The floor you walk on is smooth. There is no ground there.
Magic begins with blood. Outside, there are trees,
With concrete under their roots. But I have passed the tombs of kings,
Regaled them with pacing, checked bins for food and wrappings.
I have scoured the seas for miles, cloaked my face with ash.
My fingertips opening, accepting my time.
The dark cylinders of half-smoked cigarettes
For me, I'm your sorrow
Calling in your dreams
For me, I'm your shadow
Howling in the streets
Tomorrow, I will walk the streets
And steel myself for the familiar. Your eyes
Will not settle, a hunger. You'd be happier in your grave.
When we meet, share stories, you stretch me. I see,
I see a semi-circle of teeth.
The dark cylinders of half-smoked cigarettes
For me, I'm your sorrow
Calling in your dreams
For me, I'm your shadow
Howling in the streets
Sweep
Blue Foundation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Magic begins with blood. Outside, there are trees,
With concrete under their roots. But I have passed the tombs of kings,
Regaled them with pacing, checked bins for food and wrappings.
I have scoured the seas for miles, cloaked my face with ash.
My fingertips opening, accepting my time.
The dark cylinders of half-smoked cigarettes
Calling in your dreams
For me, I'm your shadow
Howling in the streets
Water chimes in the space between rocks,
Speakers discharge and laughter is in the air.
Glass divides us, empty bottles mark the steady sweep of days.
Tomorrow, I will walk the streets
And steel myself for the familiar. Your eyes
Will not settle, a hunger. You'd be happier in your grave.
When we meet, share stories, you stretch me. I see,
I see a semi-circle of teeth.
The dark cylinders of half-smoked cigarettes
For me, I'm your sorrow
Calling in your dreams
For me, I'm your shadow
Howling in the streets
The lyrics to "Sweep" by Blue Foundation are packed with vivid imagery and metaphors that explore the depths of human experience. The opening line, "The floor you walk on is smooth. There is no ground there," sets the tone for the rest of the song - a sense of uncertainty and instability. The idea of "magic beginning with blood" suggests that everything in life comes at a cost, and that personal sacrifice is necessary for true transformation. The verses continue to paint a picture of the world as a place of contradiction and fluctuation, where trees grow from concrete and kings are buried in tombs, while people scrounge for scraps and ash covers their skin. The line "My fingertips opening, accepting my time" could be interpreted as a metaphor for accepting one's own mortality and the inevitability of change.
The chorus of the song comprises four lines that are repeated twice, with slight variation. The singer declares themselves to be "your sorrow" and "your shadow" - perhaps suggesting that they are a reflection of the listener's own pain and fears. The lines "calling in your dreams" and "howling in the streets" seem to suggest a sense of restlessness and urgency, as if the singer is trying to communicate something important but it is not being understood. The lyrical imagery of water chimes, speakers discharging, and empty bottles marking the "steady sweep of days" create an eerie, dreamlike atmosphere.
In the final verse, the singer declares their intention to "steel" themselves for the familiar - to face the world despite its difficulties and the feelings of unease it creates. They acknowledge that meeting others can be both challenging and rewarding, and that listening to others' stories can give us a sense of shared experience and understanding. The image of a "semi-circle of teeth" could be interpreted as a smile or a gesture of solidarity, as if to say that despite everything, we are all in this together.
Line by Line Meaning
The floor you walk on is smooth. There is no ground there.
The surroundings that you move in seem to be perfect and without flaws, yet there is an absence of reality and something substantial to hold on to.
Magic begins with blood. Outside, there are trees, / With concrete under their roots. But I have passed the tombs of kings, / Regaled them with pacing, checked bins for food and wrappings. / I have scoured the seas for miles, cloaked my face with ash. / My fingertips opening, accepting my time.
The journey of life involves confronting dark and despairing moments, as hardships often pave the way for magical, transcendent experiences. Despite the cruel world beyond, one's personal tribulations and persistence can lead to self-discovery and growth.
The dark cylinders of half-smoked cigarettes / For me, I'm your sorrow / Calling in your dreams / For me, I'm your shadow / Howling in the streets
The aftermath of emotional pain and regret can linger and manifest in many forms. The singer empathizes with those who have been hurt, willingly or not, and acknowledges the weighty presence it has on their psyche.
Water chimes in the space between rocks, / Speakers discharge and laughter is in the air. / Glass divides us, empty bottles mark the steady sweep of days. / Tomorrow, I will walk the streets / And steel myself for the familiar. Your eyes / Will not settle, a hunger. You'd be happier in your grave. / When we meet, share stories, you stretch me. I see, / I see a semi-circle of teeth.
The passage of time and the dull routine of life can make one feel isolated, trapped, and restless. The artist reflects on their own melancholy state and the fleeting nature of human relationships, yet holds onto the hope and excitement that comes from human connection and storytelling.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ugly bastard
The floor you walk on is smooth. There is no ground there.
Magic begins with blood. Outside, there are trees,
With concrete under their roots. But I have passed the tombs of kings,
Regaled them with pacing, checked bins for food and wrappings.
I have scoured the seas for miles, cloaked my face with ash.
My fingertips opening, accepting my time.
The dark cylinders of half-smoked cigarettes
For me, I'm your sorrow
Calling in your dreams
For me, I'm your shadow
Howling in the streets
Water chimes in the space between rocks,
Speakers discharge and laughter is in the air,
Glass divides us,
empty bottles
mark the steady sweep of day
Tomorrow, I will walk the streets
And steel myself for the familiar. Your eyes
Will not settle, a hunger. You'd be happier in your grave.
When we meet, share stories, you stretch me. I see,
I see a semi-circle of teeth.
The dark cylinders of half-smoked cigarettes
For me, I'm your sorrow
Calling in your dreams
For me, I'm your shadow
Howling in the streets
Silver Rain
I used to drive in the middle of the night, alone, while there was fog, just to hear this song. Yeah I'm weird but this song is really something else, otherworldly! Love it!!!
vedma92
Did the same thing, nothing weird about it, its spectacular!
Dimidi
Magical experiance
Helge Ingvarson
I did the same in the Eastern European city.
850Tech
Taking a look at the lyrics I think this tells us a story regarding some Vampire !
Edetsu La medusa que dibuja
Why didn’t I knew this fabulous band? It’s 2023 and I’m in love, this song make me feel something I didn’t feel long time ago
kat
Hey welcome to the fandom! I first heard Blue Foundation in 2010 and instantly fell in love. makes me so happy to see more and more people hearing them and falling in love too!!
Mario Abdala
2020 and still this song rocks
S'thembiso
I think I discovered this gem back in 2012. Still such an amazing song 11 years later. This song as well as Shine on the same album 🤌🏾
Donnie Oneill
Blue foundation is simply amazing! Every song is just unique and touching as well. Sweep reflects my life personally of the things I have been through in my life. The ups and downs.......but I got to say I've made it through and now I'm a step dad of 4 kids and that just shows that I have an amazing heart as well as you guys in the comments.....not a single negative comment and I gotta say god bless you guys...... blue foundation for life!!!!!