Head On
Brötzmann Michiyo Yagi Nilssen-Love Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The millstone hangs around your neck
And leaves a mark upon your skin
I’ve held it in my weathered hands
And shared the weight of all your sins
So hang your head and make your way
Through all the longest, darkest days
But there’s a light that’s shining down
And you can wear it as a crown, my dear

When the sun was a common scene
We were living so blissfully
The days would flourish
And when dusk would fall
You were a roaring flame
Now dark clouds hide the sky
In between each horizon line
You are the faintest fire
Flickering under the pouring rain
Halo, halo
Let the glow illuminate your face
Halo, halo
Let it give you levity and grace
Hold up your heavy head
Hold up a light to guide the way
Hold up your heavy head
Hold up a light to guide the way
You toss and turn at night
Cloaked in blue hues of moonlight
I’ll softly sing a lullaby
To ease your mind
Enough to get some sleep
Halo, halo
Let the glow illuminate your face
Halo, halo
Let it give you levity and grace
Hold up your heavy head
Hold up a light to guide the way
Hold up your heavy head
Hold up a light to guide the way
The millstone hangs around your neck
And leaves a mark upon your skin
I’ve held it in my weathered hands
And shared the weight of all your sins
So hang your head and make your way
Through all the longest, darkest days
But there’s a light that’s shining down
And you can wear it as a crown, my dear
Halo, halo
Let the glow illuminate your face
Halo, halo
Let it give you levity and grace
Hold up your heavy head
Hold up a light to guide the way
Hold up your heavy head
Hold up a light to guide the way
Hold up your heavy head
Hold up a light to guide the way

Hold up your heavy head
Hold up a light to guide the way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Head On" by Brötzmann Michiyo Yagi Nilssen-Love convey a message of support and encouragement to someone who is burdened by their past mistakes and struggles. The millstone symbolizes the weight of their sins and the marks it leaves on their skin, suggesting a heavy burden they carry.

The song talks about how the singer has experienced this burden firsthand and has held it in their weathered hands, indicating empathy and understanding. They offer solace to the person, urging them to hang their head and keep moving forward through the difficult and darkest days. However, amidst the darkness, there is a glimmer of light shining down, symbolizing hope and the possibility of redemption. This light can be worn as a crown, suggesting that embracing this hope can empower and elevate the individual.

The lyrics reminisce about a time when life was more carefree and joyful. The sun represented a common scene, and both the singer and the person they are addressing were living blissfully. However, the days have now become gloomy with dark clouds hiding the sky. The person's flame, once vibrant and strong, has become faint and flickering, barely holding on under the pouring rain. This imagery illustrates the individual's current state of struggle and hardship.

The chorus repeats the word "halo," which represents a metaphorical glow or light that can illuminate the person's face. It is described as providing levity and grace, suggesting that embracing this inner light can bring upliftment and a sense of ease. The lyrics emphasize the importance of holding up one's heavy head, suggesting resilience and determination. They encourage the person to hold up a light to guide their way, symbolizing an internal source of strength and guidance.

In the final repetition of the chorus, the lyrics reiterate the idea of the millstone hanging around their neck, reminding the person of their past sins and the marks they have left. But the song concludes with a reaffirmation of the shining light, emphasizing that it can be worn as a crown. Here, the song leaves us with a message of hope, resilience, and the potential for redemption, urging the person to embrace their inner light and carry it proudly as they navigate their path forward.

Line by Line Meaning

The millstone hangs around your neck
You bear the weight of your mistakes and burdens

And leaves a mark upon your skin
The consequences of your actions are visible and lasting

I’ve held it in my weathered hands
I have experienced and understood your struggles

And shared the weight of all your sins
I have supported you through your mistakes and wrongdoing

So hang your head and make your way
Be remorseful and continue moving forward

Through all the longest, darkest days
Endure the toughest and most challenging times

But there’s a light that’s shining down
There is hope and positivity in your life

And you can wear it as a crown, my dear
You can embrace the brightness as a symbol of your worth

When the sun was a common scene
In happier times, when everything was easy and familiar

We were living so blissfully
We enjoyed a carefree and joyful existence

The days would flourish
Each day was full of growth and potential

And when dusk would fall
As night approached

You were a roaring flame
You were vibrant, passionate, and full of energy

Now dark clouds hide the sky
Trouble and negativity have overshadowed your life

In between each horizon line
In the uncertain space between past and future

You are the faintest fire
Your spirit and strength are barely visible

Flickering under the pouring rain
Battling through difficult circumstances and hardship

Halo, halo
Symbolic of a radiant light or aura

Let the glow illuminate your face
Allow the brightness to illuminate and uplift you

Let it give you levity and grace
Find lightness and elegance in the midst of adversity

Hold up your heavy head
Raise your burdened mind and spirit

Hold up a light to guide the way
Use positivity and hope as a guiding force

You toss and turn at night
You struggle with restlessness and anxiety

Cloaked in blue hues of moonlight
Surrounded by a calming, melancholic atmosphere

I’ll softly sing a lullaby
I will offer comfort and solace

To ease your mind
To help calm and soothe your thoughts

Enough to get some sleep
Providing enough peace of mind for some rest