Bowie admits that the song was written out of a coke-addled spiritual despair that he experienced while filming The Man Who Fell to Earth. In 1980 Bowie spoke of the song to NME, claiming "There were days of such psychological terror when making the Roeg film that I nearly started to approach my reborn, born again thing. It was the first time I'd really seriously thought about Christ and God in any depth, and 'Word on a Wing' was a protection. It did come as a complete revolt against elements that I found in the film. The passion in the song was genuine... something I needed to produce from within myself to safeguard myself against some of the situations I felt were happening on the film set."
During the time of recording this song Bowie began to wear a silver crucifix given to him by his father, stating in NME in 1980 "I wear it, I'm not sure why I wear it now even. But at the time I really needed this". A Kirlian photograph of this crucifix featured on tour material around the Station to Station album, in art for his 1997 album Earthling, and cover art for "Little Wonder".
Word on a Wing
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You walked into my life
Out of my dreams
I don't need another change
Still you forced your way
Into my scheme of things
You say we're growing
In this age of grand illusion
You walked into my life
Out of my dreams
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
Oh, sweet name, I call you again
You're born once again for me
Just because I believe, don't mean I don't think as well
Don't have to question everything
In heaven or hell
Lord, I kneel and offer you
My word on a wing
And I'm trying hard to fit among
Your scheme of things
It's safer than a strange land
But I still care for myself
And I don't stand in my own light
Lord, Lord, MY prayer flies
Like a word on a wing
My prayer flies
Like a word on a wing
Does my prayer fit in
With your scheme of things?
In this age of grand illusion
You walked into my life
Out of my dreams
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
Just as long as I can see, I'll never stop this vision flowing
I look twice and you're still flowing
Just as long as I can walk
I'll walk beside you, I'm alive in you
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
And I'm ready to shape the scheme of things
Ooh, ready to shape
The scheme of things
Ooh, ready to shape
The scheme of things
Ooh, ready to shape
The scheme of things
Ooh, ready to shape
The scheme of things
Lord, I kneel and offer you
My word on a wing
And I'm trying hard to fit among
Your scheme of things
It's safer than a strange land,
But I still care for myself
And I don't stand in my own light
Oh Lord, Lord, Lord, my prayer flies
Like a word on a wing
And I'm trying hard to fit among
Your scheme of things
It's safer than a strange land,
But I still care for myself
And I don't stand in my own light
Lord, Lord, my prayer flies
Like a word on a wing
My prayer flies like a word on a wing
Does my prayer fit in
With your scheme of things?
In "Word on a Wing," David Bowie is reflecting on the illusionary nature of life and spirituality. He sings about the arrival of a person who appeared out of his dreams, but who he did not necessarily need or want. Nevertheless, this person still found their way into Bowie's "scheme of things." Bowie appears to be questioning the notion of growing spiritually, wondering if it is truly possible or if it is just another illusion. The repeated refrain, "Sweet name, you're born once again for me," seems to suggest that this person or concept keeps reappearing in his life.
As the song progresses, Bowie expresses his own beliefs about spirituality and his relationship with a higher power. He kneels and offers his "word on a wing," acknowledging that he is trying to fit into a larger scheme of things. However, he also asserts that he cares for himself and does not blindly follow everything that is presented to him. Bowie concludes by once again questioning whether his prayer fits into the larger scheme of things.
Overall, "Word on a Wing" is an introspective and somewhat questioning look at spirituality and the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
In this age of grand illusion
In this time where things aren't as they seem
You walked into my life
You came into my life unexpectedly
Out of my dreams
Like something I had only imagined
I don't need another change
I'm content with how things are
Still you forced your way
But you still made your way
Into my scheme of things
Into my plans for the future
You say we're growing
You claim we're evolving
Growing heart and soul
Growing emotionally and spiritually
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
You are like something new, fresh and rejuvenating
Oh, sweet name, I call you again
You have a significant impact on me
Just because I believe, don't mean I don't think as well
I can have faith and be rational at the same time
Don't have to question everything
I don't need to doubt everything
In heaven or hell
In good or bad situations
Lord, I kneel and offer you
I humbly offer you
My word on a wing
My heartfelt prayer
And I'm trying hard to fit among
And I'm making an effort to be a part of
Your scheme of things
Your divine plan
It's safer than a strange land
It's better to be part of God's plan than to be lost
But I still care for myself
But I still prioritize my own wellbeing
And I don't stand in my own light
And I don't want to be selfish
My prayer flies
My plea to you ascends
Like a word on a wing
Like a message carried by the wind
Just as long as I can see, I'll never stop this vision flowing
As long as I have faith, I'll never lose hope
I look twice and you're still flowing
I search for comfort and you're always there
Just as long as I can walk
As long as I have strength
I'll walk beside you, I'm alive in you
I'll be your companion and your life exists in me
And I'm ready to shape the scheme of things
And I am willing to be an instrument of your will
Lord, Lord, Lord, my prayer flies
My plea to you, my God, rises
Does my prayer fit in
Is my plea in line with
With your scheme of things?
Your divine plan?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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