High Hopes
Daniel Cavanagh Lyrics
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In a world of magnets and miracles
Our thoughts strayed constantly and without boundary
The ringing of the division bell had begun
Along the Long Road and on down the Causeway
Do they still meet there by the Cut
There was a ragged band that followed in our footsteps
Leaving the myriad small creatures trying to tie us to the ground
To a life consumed by slow decay
The grass was greener
The light was brighter
When friends surrounded
The nights of wonder
Looking beyond the embers of bridges glowing behind us
To a glimpse of how green it was on the other side
Steps taken forwards but sleepwalking back again
Dragged by the force of some sleeping tide
At a higher altitude with flag unfurled
We reached the dizzy heights of that dreamed of world
Encumbered forever by desire and ambition
There's a hunger still unsatisfied
Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon
Though down this road we've been so many times
The grass was greener
The light was brighter
The taste was sweeter
The nights of wonder
With friends surrounded
The dawn mist glowing
The water flowing
The endless river
Forever and ever
The song "High Hopes" by Daniel Cavanagh has a nostalgic and reflective tone, describing a time when the singer and his friends were young and dreaming of a better future. The singer laments the passage of time and the loss of innocence, while also acknowledging that the journey was always a difficult one. The first verse states that in the world of our youth, where anything is possible, our thoughts roamed and our hopes soared. The ringing of the division bell serves as a metaphor for the end of an era, the moment when our youthful optimism gave way to a more sober reality.
The second verse describes the people who accompanied the singer on his journey, "a ragged band" of fellow dreamers who have long since disappeared. The multitude of small creatures that sought to hold them back represents the myriad obstacles that stood in their way - poverty, conformity, loneliness - all those things that threatened to tie them to the ground, limiting their potential. However, in the third verse, the singer recalls a time when the future seemed bright, a time when their dreams still felt attainable. He still remembers the nights when he was surrounded by friends, the grass was greener, and the light was brighter.
The final verse laments the fact that, even though the singer has reached a certain altitude in life, he remains encumbered by his own desires and ambitions. The hunger inside him is never quite sated, and he still longs for the horizon, even though he has been down this road many times before. The singer acknowledges that he will never be completely satisfied with his lot in life, but he still finds beauty in the memories of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Beyond the horizon of the place we lived when we were young
We look back on our youthful days with a sense of longing, reflecting on how our outlooks have changed since then, and how the world seems a much smaller place than it once did.
In a world of magnets and miracles
We see the world through a new lens, one where everything is interconnected and has a certain scientific magic to it. We marvel at the wonders of the universe that lie just beyond our grasp.
Our thoughts strayed constantly and without boundary
We let our minds wander freely, without any particular focus or direction. We explored new ideas and let our imaginations lead us down paths we hadn't considered before.
The ringing of the division bell had begun
The warning signs of change were already there, although we may not have been fully aware of them at the time. We could sense that things were shifting and moving, perhaps beyond our control.
Along the Long Road and on down the Causeway
We journeyed along the Path of Life, encountering both new friends and old, as we made our way through the changing landscape.
Do they still meet there by the Cut
We wonder if the people we knew from before still gather in the same spot or if we are alone in our musings.
There was a ragged band that followed in our footsteps
There were others who shared our journey and took solace in our shared experiences. We found comfort in the knowledge that we were not alone in our struggles.
Running before times took our dreams away
We chased our hopes and aspirations, refusing to let the realities of life dampen our youthful spirit. We refused to let our dreams slip away.
Leaving the myriad small creatures trying to tie us to the ground
We pushed past the obstacles and challenges that threatened to keep us rooted in place. We refused to let the small things keep us from reaching our goals.
To a life consumed by slow decay
We recognize that the passage of time takes its toll on us all, but we refuse to let it consume us. We move forward, always seeking new experiences and opportunities.
The grass was greener
We reflect on how things seemed so much better in the past, when we were younger and more carefree. The world seemed brighter, more exciting, and full of endless possibilities.
The light was brighter
We remember the good times, when everything seemed to shine and sparkle with promise. We feel a sense of nostalgia for a time that is long gone.
When friends surrounded
We recall the people we shared our triumphs and tribulations with, and how they brought us comfort and joy in times of need. We are grateful for the friendships we've forged along the way.
The nights of wonder
We remember the times when we dared to dream, to explore, and to seek out new experiences. We treasure those moments of awe and wonder that left us breathless and inspired.
Looking beyond the embers of bridges glowing behind us
As we move forward, we glance back at the past, recognizing the burning bridges we've left in our wake. We know that we can never go back, but we carry the memories with us always.
To a glimpse of how green it was on the other side
We yearn for the simple joys of the past and wonder if life could ever be as sweet as it once was. We long for the innocence and simplicity that seemed so abundant in our youth.
Steps taken forwards but sleepwalking back again
Despite our best efforts, we find ourselves repeating the same patterns, making the same mistakes, and ending up in the same places we've been before. We struggle to break free from the cycle of our lives.
Dragged by the force of some sleeping tide
We feel helpless, swept along by the current of our lives, powerless to change our course. We are at the mercy of the ebb and flow of fate.
At a higher altitude with flag unfurled
Despite our struggles, we push ever onward, daring to reach new heights and claim new victories. We are driven by a sense of purpose and vision for the future.
We reached the dizzy heights of that dreamed of world
Through sheer perseverance and determination, we finally achieved our wildest dreams and aspirations. We reached the pinnacle of our greatness and tasted the sweet fruit of our labor.
Encumbered forever by desire and ambition
Despite our successes, we are never satisfied, always driven by a perpetual hunger for more. We are never content to rest on our laurels or bask in the glow of our past accomplishments.
There's a hunger still unsatisfied
We continue to seek out new challenges and adventures, always looking for something that will satiate the hunger within us. We know that we can never be truly at peace until we've explored every corner of the universe.
Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon
Despite our fatigue and exhaustion, we remain vigilant and alert, always scanning the horizon for new opportunities and challenges. We know that adventure may lurk around every corner.
Though down this road we've been so many times
Despite the trials and tribulations we've experienced along the way, we continue to journey down this road we call life, guided by an unyielding spirit of determination and resilience.
The grass was greener
We cling to our memories of a simpler time, when the world seemed more innocent and full of promise. We long to recapture that feeling of wonder and awe that we once experienced.
The light was brighter
We remember the times when we felt truly alive, when the world seemed to glow with an inner light. We search for ways to return to that state of being.
The taste was sweeter
We recall the sweetness of life, the times when we savored every moment and reveled in the magic of existence. We long to recapture that sense of joy and abandon.
The nights of wonder
We miss the times when we dared to dream, when we allowed our imaginations to explore new worlds and new experiences. We yearn for a sense of possibility and wonder that seems to have faded with time.
With friends surrounded
We remember the people who have shaped our lives and made us who we are today. We are grateful for the strong bonds of friendship that have sustained us through hard times and good.
The dawn mist glowing
We appreciate the beauty and mystery of the natural world, marveling at the way that light plays across the landscape and creates a sense of magic and enchantment.
The water flowing
We recognize the cyclical nature of life, the way that everything ebbs and flows like the water in a stream. We take comfort in the knowledge that even when things seem bleak, they will eventually change and give way to something new.
The endless river
We embrace the endless journey of life, recognizing that there is always more to explore and more to experience. We are humbled by the vastness and mystery of the universe, and we hope to continue moving forward, always seeking new horizons.
Forever and ever
We acknowledge that life is a journey without end, a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that continues on and on into infinity. We hope to make the most of every moment we have and to leave a lasting legacy for those who follow in our footsteps.
Writer(s): Sam Andrew Gumbley
Contributed by Cooper C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.