Echoes
David Gilmour/Nick Mason/Richard Wright/Roger Waters Lyrics
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Hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves
In labyrinths of coral caves
The echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine
And no one knows the where's or why's
But something stirs and something tries
And starts to climb toward the light
Strangers passing in the street
By chance, two separate glances meet
And I am you and what I see is me
And do I take you by the hand
And lead you through the land
And help me understand the best I can?
And no one calls us to move on
And no one forces down our eyes
No one speaks and no one tries
No one flies around the sun
Cloudless everyday
You fall upon my waking eyes
Inviting and inciting me to rise
And through the window in the wall
Come streaming in on sunlight wings
A million bright ambassadors of morning
And no one sings me lullabies
And no one makes me close my eyes
So I throw the windows wide
And call to you across the sky
The lyrics to David Gilmour's "Echoes" are a poetic representation of the vastness and mysteries of the universe. The opening lines describe an albatross, which is a metaphor for freedom and the ability to soar through the air without boundaries. The image of the albatross hanging motionless upon the air creates a sense of weightlessness and stillness, which sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The lyricist then goes deeper, describing the unknown depths of the ocean and the echoes of a distant time. This could be interpreted as a reference to the origins of life on Earth or a metaphor for the cosmic past that we are all connected to. The idea of everything being green and submarine creates an otherworldly image of a place that is familiar yet unknown.
The next verse explores the idea of connection and how strangers passing in the street can have an impact on each other's lives. The lyricist poses the question of whether they should take the other person's hand and lead them through the land to help them understand the world around them. This can be seen as a call for empathy and connection that is desperately needed in a world that is divided and disconnected.
The final verse describes the beauty of everyday life and the ability to connect with something greater than ourselves. The lyricist describes the sun streaming through the window, inciting them to rise and embrace the world with open arms. The final line, "And call to you across the sky," is a powerful message of hope and connection that encapsulates the themes of the entire song.
Line by Line Meaning
Overhead the albatross
A vivid description of the stillness and calmness of the surroundings
Hangs motionless upon the air
The albatross seems to be floating effortlessly without any movement
And deep beneath the rolling waves
A description of the underwater landscape that exists far below the visible surface of the sea
In labyrinths of coral caves
A reference to the complex and intricate maze-like formations of the coral reefs under the sea
The echo of a distant time
The remnants of the past that still linger and influence the present
Comes willowing across the sand
The soft sound of the waves carrying with them the echoes of the past
And everything is green and submarine
A description of the underwater environment, with everything seeming to have a greenish tinge
And no one showed us to the land
A feeling of isolation and a lack of guidance or direction
And no one knows the where's or why's
Uncertainty and a sense of confusion about the purpose or meaning of things
But something stirs and something tries
Despite the confusion and uncertainty, there is a hint of curiosity and a willingness to explore and discover
And starts to climb toward the light
A sense of hope and a desire to move forward and find answers
Strangers passing in the street
A reflection on the fleeting nature of human connections and encounters
By chance, two separate glances meet
A suggestion that there may be more to the chance encounter than just coincidence
And I am you and what I see is me
A thought-provoking observation about how we are all interconnected and share a common humanity
And do I take you by the hand
A desire to connect with others and create meaningful relationships
And lead you through the land
A sense of responsibility to guide and support others in their journey through life
And help me understand the best I can?
A recognition of the limitations of our understanding and a desire to learn and grow
And no one calls us to move on
A sense of feeling stuck or stagnant, with no external motivators pushing us forward
And no one forces down our eyes
A lack of external control or pressure, allowing us to see things as they truly are
No one speaks and no one tries
A sense of stillness and quiet, with no one actively working towards change or progress
No one flies around the sun
An image of freedom and unlimited potential, with no one holding us back or limiting our possibilities
Cloudless everyday
A description of a perfect, clear day with no clouds in the sky
You fall upon my waking eyes
The beauty of the day catching our attention and drawing us into the present moment
Inviting and inciting me to rise
A sense of motivation and inspiration, pushing us towards action and growth
And through the window in the wall
A reference to a metaphorical or literal opening that allows us to see beyond our current perspective
Come streaming in on sunlight wings
New ideas and opportunities that seem to come from nowhere and inspire us to move forward
A million bright ambassadors of morning
A metaphor for the limitless possibilities and opportunities that exist all around us
And no one sings me lullabies
A sense of independence and self-reliance, with no one coddling or comforting us
And no one makes me close my eyes
A reminder that we have agency and control over our own experiences and perceptions
So I throw the windows wide
A sense of embracing the possibilities and opportunities that exist beyond our current perspective
And call to you across the sky
A call to action and a reminder that we can reach out to others and create meaningful connections
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Gilmour, George Waters, Nicholas Mason, Richard Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind