14.- Carnival Eyes
David Byrne Lyrics


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Gone away
Someone else son's gone
What a day
For dreaming
Hard hurt heart
That holds the door
Buried in time
In hallways bleeding

And all the time they walk the line
And all the time in asking land
Who's that girl
Who likes to dance all day?
Beauty is always so strange

Carnival girl
Where do those eyes come from?
What is inside there?
So far away

Any day
When soldiers come
Women pray
I lie here
There's a flame
Whose light still shines
Leading us on
Through fields and bridges

And all the time they walk the line
And all the time in asking land
I've seen grasses grow
Through rock and stone
Nature is always so strange

Carnival girl
Where do those eyes come from?
What is inside there?
So far away

And all the time they walk the line
And all the time in asking land
One man throwing questions
To the stars
Is there anyone there?

Carnival girl
Where do those eyes come from?
What is inside there?
So far away

Carnival girl
Where do our lives come from?




She'll keep on dancing
The night away

Overall Meaning

David Byrne's song Carnival Eyes depicts a somber yet contemplative mood. The lyrics create an image of someone lost and gone, leaving behind a hard hurt heart that holds the door "buried in time". The lyrics explore loss, the passing of time, and questions about human existence. The repeated phrase "And all the time they walk the line, and all the time in asking land" emphasizes the idea of walking through life while searching for answers. The question "Who's that girl who likes to dance all day? Beauty is always so strange" illustrates the idea of beauty being strange, creating mystery around the carnival girl's eyes, which lead the listener to wonder about what's behind them.


The lyrics also touch on themes of war and death with the line "Any day when soldiers come, women pray, I lie here." The singer is lying here, presumably a casualty of war, and is observing the flames of hope and faith that could lead us through "fields and bridges". The lines "I've seen grasses grow, through rock and stone, nature is always so strange" express how nature finds its way even in the harshest environments. The song concludes with the repetition of the carnival girl's question, leaving the listener to ponder where our lives come from and the mystery of existence while she dances the night away.


Line by Line Meaning

Gone away
Someone has left or passed away


Someone else son's gone
The son of someone else has left or died


What a day
A day that is remarkable or significant in some way


For dreaming
A day that inspires dreams or imagination


Hard hurt heart
A heart that has suffered and been wounded


That holds the door
A heart that protects itself and guards against further pain


Buried in time
Memories or emotions that are hidden or forgotten over time


In hallways bleeding
In spaces that are fraught with emotional pain or turmoil


And all the time they walk the line
People persist in their efforts, despite obstacles or challenges


And all the time in asking land
People are constantly seeking answers or solutions to their problems


Who's that girl
Someone who is curious or intrigued by another person


Who likes to dance all day?
A person who loves to be carefree and joyful


Beauty is always so strange
Beauty can be unexpected or unusual


Carnival girl
A girl or woman who embodies the spirit of carnival or celebration


Where do those eyes come from?
The eyes of the carnival girl are captivating or mysterious


What is inside there?
The carnival girl has hidden depths or secrets


So far away
The carnival girl seems distant or unattainable


Any day
At any time or moment


When soldiers come
During times of war or conflict


Women pray
Women seek solace or hope in prayer


I lie here
The artist is in a vulnerable or helpless position


There's a flame
There is a light or source of hope


Whose light still shines
The light of hope endures, despite difficult circumstances


Leading us on
The light of hope guides us forward


Through fields and bridges
Through different types of terrain or obstacles


I've seen grasses grow
The singer has observed the resilience and beauty of nature


Through rock and stone
Nature can grow in unexpected or challenging environments


Nature is always so strange
The natural world can be unpredictable or surprising


One man throwing questions
The artist is searching for answers or meaning in the universe


To the stars
Asking the universe or greater powers for understanding


Is there anyone there?
Questioning the existence of greater beings or powers


Where do our lives come from?
Questioning the origins or purpose of human existence


She'll keep on dancing
The carnival girl represents joy and celebration that endures despite hardships


The night away
The carnival girl is carefree and joyful, regardless of the time or circumstances




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Pililinas

How this album passed me by I don’t know! I am very late to the table, but thank you so much for sharing - and with no ads - wonderful! x

K- LoFu

este le gana a Patton!!! pionero

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