Black Ribbon
Blue Rodeo Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Silent as the stars

That sleep in deep dark waters

Her face forever hidden

For she wears the black ribbon
Her face forever hidden


It's from nowhere that I came

And to nowhere I'll return again

And the same fate waits for you my friend

Blessed or forsaken

She wears the black ribbon


Nearest to all things

Patiently waiting

So let the angels sing

Silently weeping

So let the angels sing

It's only heaven descending

It's only heaven descending

It's only heaven descending


Hold her in your arms

Hold her like a lover

More precious than any other

For she bears a heavy burden

And her heart?s forever broken


Nearest to all things

Patiently waiting

So let the angels sing

Silently weeping

So let the angels sing

It's only heaven descending

It's only heaven descending





It's only heaven descending

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Blue Rodeo's song "Black Ribbon" speak to the pain and isolation that comes with grief. The imagery of the silent stars and deep dark waters creates a sense of being lost in the vastness of the universe, while the black ribbon serves as a symbol for the mourning that the singer is experiencing. The repetition of the line "her face forever hidden" emphasizes the idea that the person being mourned is no longer accessible to the living.


The song's lyrics also touch on the universality of death, with lines such as "from nowhere that I came, and to nowhere I'll return again" and "the same fate waits for you my friend". These reminders of our own mortality can be uncomfortable, but they also serve to highlight the value of the time we have with those we love.


In the final verse, the lyrics shift to address the idea of holding and cherishing those we love while they are still with us. The line "more precious than any other" reinforces the idea that life is fragile and fleeting, and that we should make the most of the time we have. The reference to angels singing and weeping suggests a divine sorrow or empathy for human grieving, while the repetition of "It's only heaven descending" could be interpreted as a message of hope or comfort.


Line by Line Meaning

Silent as the stars
Quiet and still like the stars that sleep and shine in the dark waters of the universe.


That sleep in deep dark waters
Stars that rest and shine in the vast, dark and unknown expanses of the universe.


Her face forever hidden
The woman's face will never be known or shown, as she constantly wears the black ribbon over her face.


For she wears the black ribbon
Her face remains hidden, as she wears a black ribbon that covers it entirely.


It's from nowhere that I came
I don't know where I came from or where I am going, just like everyone else.


And to nowhere I'll return again
No matter how great or successful one may become, the final destination is the same for everyone - death determines where everyone goes.


And the same fate waits for you my friend
Death looms over us all, regardless of our backgrounds or personal situations.


Blessed or forsaken
A person's luck, status or blessings can fluctuate, but death eventually catches up to everyone.


Nearest to all things
Death is something that is close to all things, as it determines the ultimate fate for all living beings.


Patiently waiting
Death's approach is constant yet understated, patiently waiting for its arrival.


So let the angels sing
When one dies, they enter a celestial realm where angels sing and rejoice.


Silently weeping
While death is portrayed as a joyous occasion, there are still those who weep silently for the passing of loved ones.


It's only heaven descending
Despite the sadness that comes with death, there is a belief that heaven or a heavenly realm awaits those who depart from this world.


Hold her in your arms
Hold the woman as one would a lover - with care, love, and tenderness.


Hold her like a lover
Treat the woman with affection and kindness, as though they were in a romantic relationship.


More precious than any other
The woman is valued and cherished, worth more than any other thing or person.


For she bears a heavy burden
The woman is carrying a heavy burden that is not known or cannot be shared with others.


And her heart's forever broken
The woman is going through immense emotional pain, and it has left a permanent scar on her heart.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Ka Mac

A great tune by Mr. Keelor!

youda whan

awsome music

Ka Mac

Love, Love, Blue Rodeo!

Joanne Thibault

Blue Rodeo is the working mans band

MBWASHERE

fantastica canzone ma a quanto vedo poco conosciuta..

Alex V

Wow

Sean Meisner

All these pictures of Jim during a song by Greg...

Laurie Aikin

Right?