The Rising
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
Make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile of line
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
I was wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li - li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li - li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li
There's spirits above and behind me
Faces gone black, eyes burnin' bright
May their precious blood bind me
Lord, as I stand before your fiery light
Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li - li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li - li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li
I see you Mary in the garden
In the garden of a thousand sighs
There's holy pictures of our children
Dancin' in a sky filled with light
May I feel your arms around me
May I feel your blood mix with mine
A dream of life comes to me
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of my line
Sky of blackness and sorrow (a dream of life)
Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)
Sky of glory and sadness (a dream of life)
Sky of mercy, sky of fear (a dream of life)
Sky of memory and shadow (a dream of life)
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life)
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li - li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li - li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li...
The Rising is a song that beautifully captures the emotions of resilience and hope in the midst of tragedy. The lyrics communicate a sense of being lost and overwhelmed, feeling stuck in darkness and weighed down by burdens that seem insurmountable, but ultimately finding the strength to rise up and move forward. The opening lines, "Can't see nothin' in front of me / Can't see nothin' coming up behind" suggest a feeling of being trapped or stuck, unable to see a way forward. The image of a heavy chain that binds the singer underscores this sense of feeling stuck and weighed down. However, the chorus serves as a reminder that while we may feel helpless and alone, we can always reach out for help and support: "Come on up for the rising / Come on up, lay your hands in mine / Come on up for the rising / Come on up for the rising tonight."
The song also contains religious imagery, invoking the cross and asking for the love and mercy of the Lord. The line "May their precious blood bind me / Lord, as I stand before your fiery light" suggests a desire to be purified and strengthened by grace. Similarly, the verse that begins, "I see you Mary in the garden" conjures the image of the Virgin Mary and evokes both a sense of comfort and a yearning for connection. The dream-like images of lights and dancing children further emphasize the themes of hope and new beginnings.
Overall, The Rising is a song that speaks to the human experience of suffering and loss, but also to the resilience and hope that can emerge in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't see nothin' in front of me
I cannot see anything ahead of me due to the darkness around me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I cannot see anything approaching me from behind due to the darkness around me
Make my way through this darkness
I am struggling to find my way through this darkness and confusion
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
I can only feel the weight of the burden that is holding me down
Lost track of how far I've gone
I have lost count of how much progress I have made
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
I do not know how far I have gone or how much I have achieved
On my back's a sixty pound stone
I am weighed down by a heavy burden that is causing me difficulty in moving forward
On my shoulder a half mile of line
I am carrying a tremendous amount of weight that is making it incredibly difficult to progress
Come on up for the rising
Join me in my journey towards success
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Let us work together towards achieving our goals
Left the house this morning
I have started a new day and am ready to face the challenges ahead of me
Bells ringing filled the air
The sound of joyous celebration surrounds me
I was wearin' the cross of my calling
I am reminded of my purpose and calling in life
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here
I am moving forward with a sense of purpose and unstoppable force
There's spirits above and behind me
I am surrounded by the unseen presence of those who have come before me
Faces gone black, eyes burnin' bright
These spirits are both mysterious and powerful
May their precious blood bind me
I seek to be a part of this powerful legacy
I see you Mary in the garden
I am reminded of the hope and joy of new beginnings
In the garden of a thousand sighs
This place is filled with both beauty and sadness
There's holy pictures of our children
I am reminded of the importance of nurturing and protecting the next generation
Dancin' in a sky filled with light
There is a sense of boundless joy and possibility
May I feel your arms around me
I seek comfort and reassurance in my relationships
May I feel your blood mix with mine
I seek unity and connection with those around me
A dream of life comes to me
I am filled with hope for the future
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of my line
Despite the challenges and struggles I am facing, I have a sense of control and purpose
Sky of blackness and sorrow (a dream of life)
Life is full of both pain and hope
Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)
I experience both love and sadness in this journey of life
Sky of glory and sadness (a dream of life)
There is both triumph and sorrow in the human experience
Sky of mercy, sky of fear (a dream of life)
I experience both compassion and fear in this journey of life
Sky of memory and shadow (a dream of life)
The past can be a source of both comfort and pain
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
I am surrounded by a sense of wild and unpredictable energy
Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life)
Despite our successes, we often feel a sense of longing and emptiness
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life
Despite the challenges, life can still be full and blessed
Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li - li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li - li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li
These repeated sounds are a form of expression, perhaps indicating that there is something profound or mysterious about the singer's experience
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thijs Masschelein
Maybe because the fans are really close to the band. No 20 meters space between stagebarriers and stage. Stage isn't 20 meters high and offcourse a smaller venue with only (die-hard) fans. I have no idea but no golden area.
I think music industry should rethink about this and get fans closer to band to get them more involved in the concerts. Just my thoughts about it maybe one of the reasons Bruce is one of the few who wants to get closer to his fans instead of playing on a stage 20 meters further away and 20 meters higher.
Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger and Bruce they really want to keep their fans close and it gives them a lot of energy.
Also my opinion there is a big difference if an artist thinks he has to entertain people or he show his work and his knowledge to the people who loves them. When you entertain people you just aren't that passioned about your talent/work anymore (just the money). If you want to show the people your talent, your knowlede then it's passion. I think Bruce his last tour feels more about entertainment anymore. I saw a couple weeks ago John Fogerty and i didn't believe his songs anymore he's just greedy sing his songs and that's it. It is a whole different dynamic.
Entertainment <> Passion it's whole different angle. Passion is Bob Dylan for me he just don't care about the music industry shit he's really passioned about music and wants to spread his work. The moment Dylan thinks he has to the to entertainment people I think he stops living. To return to Bruce you'll see this show is pure passion and that's what made him so big. Here he's just passioned about his work (Risin' album), album, e-street band.
diogo neto
Can't see nothin' in front of me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile line
Come on up for the rising
Com on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
Wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li
Spirits above and behind me
Faces gone, black eyes burnin' bright
May their precious blood forever bind me
Lord as I stand before your fiery light
Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li
I see you Mary in the garden
In the garden of a thousand sighs
There's holy pictures of our children
Dancin' in a sky filled with light
May I feel your arms around me
May I feel your blood mix with mine
A dream of life comes to me
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of the line
Sky of blackness and sorrow ( a dream of life)
Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)
Sky of glory and sadness ( a dream of life)
Sky of mercy, sky of fear ( a dream of life)
Sky of memory and shadow ( a dream of life)
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life)
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life ( a dream of life)
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Don Funk
The Rising
Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band
Can't see nothin' in front of me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
Make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile of line
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
I was wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li - li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li - li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
There's spirits above and behind me
Faces gone black, eyes burnin' bright
May their precious blood bind me
Lord, as I stand before your fiery light
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li - li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li - li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
I see you Mary in the garden
In the garden of a thousand sighs
There's holy pictures of our children
Dancin' in a sky filled with light
May I feel your arms around me
May I feel your blood mix with mine
A dream of life comes to me
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of my line
Sky of blackness and sorrow (a dream of life)
Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)
Sky of glory and sadness (a dream of life)
Sky of mercy, sky of fear (a dream of life)
Sky of memory and shadow (a dream of life)
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life)
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li - li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li - li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li...
Evan Oglesby
It’s amazing how much an audience can amplify the energy of a performance. He blew the goddamn roof off with this one.
Thijs Masschelein
Maybe because the fans are really close to the band. No 20 meters space between stagebarriers and stage. Stage isn't 20 meters high and offcourse a smaller venue with only (die-hard) fans. I have no idea but no golden area.
I think music industry should rethink about this and get fans closer to band to get them more involved in the concerts. Just my thoughts about it maybe one of the reasons Bruce is one of the few who wants to get closer to his fans instead of playing on a stage 20 meters further away and 20 meters higher.
Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger and Bruce they really want to keep their fans close and it gives them a lot of energy.
Also my opinion there is a big difference if an artist thinks he has to entertain people or he show his work and his knowledge to the people who loves them. When you entertain people you just aren't that passioned about your talent/work anymore (just the money). If you want to show the people your talent, your knowlede then it's passion. I think Bruce his last tour feels more about entertainment anymore. I saw a couple weeks ago John Fogerty and i didn't believe his songs anymore he's just greedy sing his songs and that's it. It is a whole different dynamic.
Entertainment <> Passion it's whole different angle. Passion is Bob Dylan for me he just don't care about the music industry shit he's really passioned about music and wants to spread his work. The moment Dylan thinks he has to the to entertainment people I think he stops living. To return to Bruce you'll see this show is pure passion and that's what made him so big. Here he's just passioned about his work (Risin' album), album, e-street band.
Halligan
Lost my old man in the south tower - miss him so much. This song, the whole album was a catalyst for me to respond well. Would so love to sing this with Bruce.
Barry Obama
Halligan what floor was he on 🤔
Halligan
Barry Obama 99. Worked for Aon.
SchantalleHundeMama
I am so sorry for your loss, Halligan. I hope your wish comes true.
Sean O'Rourke
Love to you and your family, my friend.
steve durbin
so sorry for your loss.i think music in some way is a healer for all of us whatever life throws at us.bruce is just awesome
Janice Michael Sedona
Still over 20 years later ,the most fitting tribute to the strength of out country and the victims of 9/11 and their families and loved ones! Pure poetry and an affirmation of our resiliency as a nation that survived what those evil men tried to do that day!
God Bless the United States of America and God Bless Bruce Springsteen for this lasting tribute the to victims and heroes of 9/11 and their loving survivors. Thank you, Bruce and the East Street Banc
Dana
This song has *everything*. This song is everything, everything True about Life. LOVE this live version!! Thank you Bruce for making REAL American rock & roll that represents real Americans. Love you & the E Street Band. Thanks to you & Patti for keeping it real. God Bless y'all always. You totally earned being called The Boss, much Love always ♥️♥️♾️🕉️🔥🖖❤️🎵🎶🇺🇸