Tired Light
Camphor Lyrics
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Sober as your skin
Washed with beauty I walked in
It's so hard to keep things straight
I am always running late
With borrowed heat from distant fires
I feel you shiver in the dark
And I will burn for you
A swirl of light and fire
Celebration pyre
With tired light from distant stars
Sober as your skin
Washed with beauty I walked in
The lyrics to Camphor's song "Tired Light" speak to the overwhelming feeling of exhaustion in the face of the endless universe. The opening line, "with tired light from distant stars," illuminates the reality that the light we see from these stars has traveled so far that it has lost energy and is no longer as bright as it once was. This concept is then paired with the image of being "sober as your skin," suggesting a certain raw and unguarded state of mind. The next line, "washed with beauty I walked in," serves as a contrast to the weariness described before, indicating that despite feeling drained, there is still something beautiful to be found in the midst of it all.
The following lines, "it's so hard to keep things straight, I am always running late," speak to the challenges of navigating life when everything feels so overwhelming. The use of the phrase "always running late" implies a sense of urgency or pressure, perhaps suggesting that there is always something more to be done, always someplace else to be. The second verse shifts gears a bit and introduces the idea of "borrowed heat from distant fires." This imagery is likely meant to describe the ways in which we take inspiration from the energy and passion of others, even if we never meet them or are aware of their impact. The line, "ashes from a spark, I feel you shiver in the dark," reinforces this idea, perhaps suggesting that the light and energy we create in our lives can have a ripple effect that reaches farther than we ever imagined.
The final lines, "and I will burn for you, a swirl of light and fire, celebration pyre," bring the ideas of the song to a climax. Here, the exhaustion and weariness described throughout the song are transformed into a celebratory and fiery energy. The use of the phrase "burn for you" suggests a deep sense of loyalty or love, while the image of a "celebration pyre" suggests a profound sense of joy and release. Overall, "Tired Light" is a song that speaks to the complexities of navigating life in a vast and overwhelming universe, while also finding beauty, inspiration, and celebration within that same expanse of space.
Line by Line Meaning
With tired light from distant stars
The light that reaches us from far-away stars is dimmed and weakened, worn out from the immense journey through space and time.
Sober as your skin
Just like one's skin can be devoid of any intoxication, the singer is describing a sense of sobriety, a lack of excitement or energy in the current moment.
Washed with beauty I walked in
Despite feeling this sense of sobriety or lack of energy, the singer is still able to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings and experiences it fully, even if only in a subdued manner.
It's so hard to keep things straight
There is a feeling of disorientation or difficulty in maintaining focus, staying on task, or keeping things organized in life.
I am always running late
The artist is chronically behind schedule, struggling to keep up with the demands and expectations of life.
With borrowed heat from distant fires
The warmth that the singer feels is not their own; it is derived from something far away and outside of their immediate control or influence.
Ashes from a spark
The source of this warmth or inspiration may have started with just a small spark or flame, but it has grown and spread, leaving only the remnants of ashes in its wake.
I feel you shiver in the dark
The artist is aware of someone else's discomfort or unease, even when they cannot see them, and they empathize with that feeling.
And I will burn for you
Despite feeling exhausted or worn out, the artist will exert a great deal of energy and passion for someone they care about deeply.
A swirl of light and fire
The intensity of this passion and energy is described as a whirlwind of light and heat, something that is all-consuming and powerful.
Celebration pyre
The culmination of this passion and energy is like a bonfire or pyre, something joyous and celebratory, that provides warmth and light to those around it.
Contributed by Lucas V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.