The Lighthouse
David Byrne & Brian Eno Lyrics
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I'm searching high, and low
Underneath the waves
Where they hit the rocky shore
Out by the lighthouse
Heard nature say
"I'm sorry,
For those who tumble in God's name
To an early grave
Into the sea and foam
Like ships tossed in a storm"
And I'm standing all alone
Out by the lighthouse
I'll build a house, of paper
Covered with words I could read
She had to teach me what to say
But every year we stayed
Out by the lighthouse
I'll build a house, so level
With 7 walls, long and true
The day we raised that roof up high
Unto the fading light
We sang the whole night through
No one needed proof
And I could see the moon
Out by the lighthouse
The lyrics of The Lighthouse are open to interpretation, but they seem to revolve around themes of isolation, nature, and human connection. The singer seems to be searching for something intangible, something that can only be found by venturing out into the dangerous, rocky waters surrounding the titular lighthouse. They talk of building a house of water, of standing alone out by the lighthouse and hearing nature apologize for the destruction it has wrought upon the world below. But despite this sense of isolation, the singer is not alone; they have a partner who teaches them what to say and helps them build a house meant to withstand the wildness of the sea. And in the end, they find a sense of community as they sing together under the moon.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll build a house, of water
I will create a house that is fluid and constantly moving, shaped by its surroundings.
I'm searching high, and low
I am exploring every possibility and option available to me.
Underneath the waves
Beneath the surface, where things are not immediately visible.
Where they hit the rocky shore
The point where two opposing forces collide and create tension.
Out by the lighthouse
In a place where I can see both the light and the darkness, the safety and the danger.
Heard nature say
I listened to the natural world and heard its message.
"I'm sorry,
"I regret the pain and suffering that exists."
For stones and trees down below
For the things that are rooted and unchanging, that cannot escape their fate.
For those who tumble in God's name
For those who are blindly devoted to a higher power and suffer for it.
To an early grave
To a premature death, perhaps due to circumstances beyond their control.
Into the sea and foam
Into the unpredictable and chaotic forces of nature.
Like ships tossed in a storm"
Like vessels that are at the mercy of the wind and waves, without any control over their fate.
And I'm standing all alone
I am separated from others and grappling with these harsh truths on my own.
I'll build a house, of paper
I will construct something that is delicate and easily destroyed, but can also convey meaning and ideas.
Covered with words I could read
Filled with language and communication that I could comprehend and use to connect with others.
She had to teach me what to say
I had to learn how to express myself and convey my thoughts to others through the guidance of someone else.
But every year we stayed
Despite our difficulties and differences, we endured and remained together.
Out by the lighthouse
In this place that can illuminate our path and guide us through the darkness.
I'll build a house, so level
I will construct something that is stable and balanced, with a strong foundation.
With 7 walls, long and true
With a complete and comprehensive framework that encompasses and addresses every aspect of its existence.
The day we raised that roof up high
The moment when we came together and completed our creation, reaching towards the sky and our possibilities.
Unto the fading light
Until the end of our time and the decline of our existence.
We sang the whole night through
We celebrated our creation and shared our hope and joy with one another.
No one needed proof
We did not require external validation or justification for our creation, as it had inherent meaning and value.
And I could see the moon
I had gained perspective and could see beyond myself and my creation, into the vast and infinite universe.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind