Cathedrals
Damon Albarn Lyrics


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When cathedrals, they sink into the seas under sand
The ghosts that are left in them
They slip through the hand
When the words in your head

And the old man is dead
Then I'll look very hard
At the passing of that day
In my life

When the books of the desert
They turn to sublime
Beware of the emptiness
It plays with the mind

When the goodbye is said
And the old man is dead




Then I'll look very hard
At the passing of that day in my heart

Overall Meaning

In Damon Albarn's song "Cathedrals," the lyrics describe the sinking of cathedrals into the sea under sand and the ghosts that are left behind. The imagery suggests loss and the fleeting nature of human existence. The words in your head and the passing of time are also mentioned, hinting at the emotional weight of memory and the passage of time.


The second verse mentions books turning to "sublime" and warns of the "emptiness" that can play with the mind. This could be a metaphor for the human search for meaning and the danger of getting lost in the void. The goodbye of an old man and his eventual passing are also referenced, suggesting the inevitability of death and the importance of reflecting on its impact on our lives.


In an interview with NME, Albarn revealed that "Cathedrals" was inspired by his travels and his experiences of visiting historic sites and places of worship around the world. The song is also notable for featuring a choir from Mali, highlighting Albarn's interest in incorporating multicultural influences into his music.


Line by Line Meaning

When cathedrals, they sink into the seas under sand
As the structures that represent our beliefs and values erode and disappear, they can take something essential with them.


The ghosts that are left in them
The memories and emotions that these structures hold linger even as they crumble.


They slip through the hand
We can't hold onto the past forever, and eventually we have to let go.


When the words in your head
Our thoughts and beliefs can change, and we have to be open to that possibility.


And the old man is dead
As we age and lose those who came before us, we are forced to confront our own mortality.


Then I'll look very hard
We must take time to reflect on the meaning of our lives and the impact we have had.


At the passing of that day
We should recognize the significance of the moments that mark the end of eras and the beginning of new ones.


When the books of the desert
Even in the barren and inhospitable places in life, there is wisdom to be found.


They turn to sublime
As we learn and grow, we can reach a level of understanding that is transcendent and inspiring.


Beware of the emptiness
We must be careful not to lose ourselves in the void of uncertainty and doubt.


It plays with the mind
The experience of not knowing can be disorienting and unsettling, but we must not be afraid to explore it.


When the goodbye is said
Saying farewell to someone or something can be difficult, but it is often a necessary step in moving forward.


Then I'll look very hard
Once again, we are reminded of the importance of reflecting on our lives and experiences.


At the passing of that day in my heart
The feelings and emotions that come with significant moments are just as important to acknowledge and process as the events themselves.




Contributed by John F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

MusiqueFurieuse

Lyrics- 

"When Cathedrals, they sink into
The sea and the sand
The ghosts that are left of them,
They slip through the hand.

When the words in your head 
And the old man is dead
Then I’ll look very hard
At the passing of that day
In my life

When the books of the desert
They turn to sublime
Beware of the emptiness
It plays with the mind

When the goodbye is said
And the old man is dead
Then I’ll look very hard
At the passing of that day
In my life"

zeranzeran

This album is so beautiful. I wish I could watch the show. I think it was important to Damon. Thank you.

Destroucs

thanks

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