On an Island
David Gilmour Lyrics
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White steps in the moonlight
They walked here too
Through empty playground, this ghosts' town
Children again, on rusting swings getting higher
Sharing a dream, on an island, it felt right
We lay side by side
Mapping the stars for a while
Let the night surround you
We're halfway to the stars
Ebb and flow
Let it go
Feel her warmth beside you
Remember that night
The warmth and the laughter
Candles burned
Though the church was deserted
At dawn we went down through empty streets to the harbor
Dreamers may leave, but they're here ever after
Let the night surround you
We're halfway to the stars
Ebb and flow
Let it go
Feel her warmth beside you.
David Gilmour's song "On An Island" is a nostalgic and dreamy portrayal of beautiful memories of a night spent in each other’s company on an island. The lyrics invoke strong imagery of a calmer and simpler time that allows individuals to let their guard down and feel free. The opening line of "Remember that night" sets up the tone of reminiscence that is maintained throughout the song. The setting of the song is on an empty playground in a town possessed by ghosts. The rusting swings and the empty playground are the symbols of the past, but as they swing higher, they share a dream that makes time a blur. The island on which they find themselves seems to be their safe haven, somewhere they can be free from the modern world, where they can be the children they used to be.
Later, the lyrics mention that they lay side by side with the moon and the tide mapping the stars for a while, outlining an imagery of simplicity and innocence. The last stanza of the song re-emphasizes that regardless of where they go, they will always have the memories of that night and will remain ever after as dreamers. The song paints a beautiful and warm picture of a simpler, peaceful time, where people could rediscover themselves and explore the world more keenly.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember that night
Recalling a specific night in the past
White steps in the moonlight
Describing the setting of the memory, a place where there was moonlight on white steps
They walked here too
Others were there with the singer
Through empty playground, this ghosts' town
The place was empty and had an eerie, ghostly vibe
Children again, on rusting swings getting higher
The people involved were enjoying themselves and reliving their childhoods on some old swings
Sharing a dream, on an island, it felt right
The people were experiencing a shared dream-like state that felt perfect and fitting on an island
We lay side by side
The singer and someone else were lying next to each other
Between the moon and the tide
The specific location of the two people was between the moon and the water's edge
Mapping the stars for a while
The people were looking up and studying the stars momentarily
Let the night surround you
The artist is urging someone else to embrace the darkness of the night
We're halfway to the stars
The two people feel a connection to the stars or space while they're caught up in the moment
Ebb and flow
The artist is calling to let the natural rhythm of things take over
Let it go
The singer is encouraging someone else to let go of their worries or concerns
Feel her warmth beside you
The singer is calling to attention the warmth of another person that is near the listener
Candles burned
There were candles present in the scene
Though the church was deserted
The location might have been a church, but it was empty
At dawn we went down through empty streets to the harbor
At some point later, the people walked to a harbor to watch the sunrise
Dreamers may leave, but they're here ever after
The people in the memory might not be present anymore, but what they experienced together will always be with them
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVID GILMOUR, POLLY SAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@javierruiz77
As tandems of songwriters go, Gilmour/Waters have composed some
of the best songs of the last century (Comfortably Numb to say one). And, as
all tandems of songwriters go, they are not meant to be together that much. It’s
a pity but that is… Pink Floyd was never the same without Waters, but I can’t
deny Gilmour’s efforts to continue with the concept. Right now I’m very fond of
Gilmour’s solo albums and the two post-Waters Pink Floyd’s albums. I found OAI
and RTL very relaxed and without the heavy weight of the Pink Floyd name, he’s
having fun and composing the best songs of his solo career. I like Waters’ solo
albums but I don’t listen to them that much. I wish David Gilmour could write
more lyrics but that is his weakness and that is what makes him wonderful, that
permitted him to develop his trademark guitar playing and that allowed Waters
to develop his skills as a lyricist. Maybe you’re right, Barrett was the heart,
Waters the mind, Gilmour the soul but don’t forget that Wright was the paper
were they need to write down the song and Mason was the knot that tied all
together. Thank you Pink Floyd.
@floydian7680
On an Island
David Gilmour
Remember that night
White steps in the moonlight
They walked here too
Through empty playground, this ghosts' town
Children again, on rusting swings getting higher
Sharing a dream, on an island, it felt right
We lay side by side
Between the moon and the tide
Mapping the stars for a while
Let the night surround you
We're halfway to the stars
Ebb and flow
Let it go
Feel her warmth beside you
Remember that night
The warmth and the laughter
Candles burned
Though the church was deserted
At dawn we went down through empty streets to the harbor
Dreamers may leave, but they're here ever after
Let the night surround you
We're halfway to the stars
Ebb and flow
Let it go
Feel her warmth beside you.
@TheAltoGamer
Waters was the brain, Gilmour was the soul, Wright was the heart, and Mason connected the nerves
@jrsindone
Mason = Skelton
Waters = Brain
Wright = Heart
Gilmour = Soul
Syd Barret = Spirt
@MrNunna
I disagree only slightly. Waters was the thorn.
@Craig-dv3ji
Mason was the pulse.
@matiasriosnievas603
sid love you
@brendanmcgann8633
Syd was the mind.
@alexisdimebag7156
I listen to all kinds of music, from pantera, slipknot, metallica, gojira to bands like radiohead, perfect circle, but nothing generates me as much respect and admiration as this man, I think he is the most talented and complete musician that history has given, Since the simplicity has managed to create a perfect and unrepeatable music and I think this song represents that for me, simply perfection
@fabioa1680
Yeah man👍👍👍
@j4m6s2true
I usually put it like this. Each note he hits on that ssd's strat has a ton of feeling. And that's how your mind goes to emtions. The feeling is incomparable. Dime is cut from the same cloth. They feel it so incredibly that it shows through their guitar play.
My favorite guitarist and Dime is right there with him.
We turn that feeling into emotion. And they know how to do it. Legendary...
@elmahfoudiyouness1102
Well spoke.. 👏👏