Coming Alive
David Wilcox Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

They open their eyes in the ocean below
They can't see the water
They don't even know why they fly
Coming alive

Caught on a hook, held in the air
Starving for breath
Finally aware of the tide
Coming alive

Our plans will fail
Our dreams will shatter
Like crashing waves upon the beach

And what remains is all that matters
The lonely wave
Becomes the sea
Coming alive

The burden we bear
Is to have to compare
The life that we live to the hope
Waiting there inside that's coming alive

The comfort we find
With our bodies entwined
Opens the soul to the touch
Of a love that's divine that's coming alive

The gift of life can see her breathing
Sweet release upon her face
And as she sighs she is receiving
The falling star, the spark of grace
Coming alive

Slowly coming alive
To the wide eyed life
Open heart, open eye
Open mind

The glimmer of stars that reflects in her eyes
How many million of light years it took to arrive
Coming alive

At the edge of what's known and the top of the veil
The place where a soul to be born
Has been waiting to fly
We're coming alive

Where we've been we don't remember
As we fall into this storm




We're taken in as we surrender to the death of being born
Coming alive

Overall Meaning

David Wilcox's "Coming Alive" begins with imagery of beings opening their eyes in the ocean below, struggling to breathe, but not quite aware of their predicament. However, as they slowly come to grips with their reality, they start to take flight, finally aware of the tide and coming alive. Wilcox uses this metaphor to illustrate how necessary struggle and adversity are for growth and life, and how it's often only through facing challenges that we can truly discover ourselves and come into our own.


The lyrics take on a more introspective tone in the following verse, where the burden of comparison is explored. The need to compare ourselves to others or to some idealized version of ourselves only leads to disappointment and the feeling that we're not enough. Instead, the song suggests that we find comfort in the moment and the relationships that we have, and in doing so, we open ourselves up to the divine love that's always present and coming alive in our lives.


In the final verse, Wilcox brings everything together, painting a picture of rebirth and renewal. The image of falling into a storm and surrendering to the death of being born is a powerful one, representing the transformative power of change and growth. Out of this chaos, we can discover new aspects of ourselves and come alive to the wide-eyed wonder of life.


Line by Line Meaning

They open their eyes in the ocean below
They begin to experience something new


They can't see the water
They are unaware of what is happening around them


They don't even know why they fly
They are unaware of why things are happening the way they are


Coming alive
They are beginning to feel alive


Caught on a hook, held in the air
Feeling trapped and needing air


Starving for breath
Desperately needing oxygen


Finally aware of the tide
Finally realizing what is happening and the consequences of their actions


Coming alive
Overcoming their struggles and feeling alive


Our plans will fail
Our expectations and plans may not go as planned


Our dreams will shatter
Our aspirations may be unachievable


Like crashing waves upon the beach
Like the waves crashing on the shore, our dreams may not be pleasant


And what remains is all that matters
What matters is what we have left after our dreams and plans have failed


The lonely wave
The wave alone, left to its fate


Becomes the sea
Transforms and is part of something bigger


Coming alive
Embracing a greater whole and feeling alive


The burden we bear
The weight of our responsibility


Is to have to compare
Our task is to assess and judge ourselves against our hopes and desires


The life that we live to the hope
Our current reality against what we dream or wish for


Waiting there inside that's coming alive
Our inner hopes and desires are awakening


The comfort we find
The solace we feel


With our bodies entwined
Through physical intimacy


Opens the soul to the touch
It opens our being to spiritual growth


Of a love that's divine that's coming alive
A love that is pure and powerful is awakening


The gift of life can see her breathing
An appreciation of life


Sweet release upon her face
A beautiful expression of joy


And as she sighs she is receiving
Through breathing she is being nourished


The falling star, the spark of grace
A moment of beautiful surprise


Slowly coming alive
Gradually awakening


To the wide eyed life
To the wonder and beauty of life


Open heart, open eye
An open, receptive nature


Open mind
An open, accepting perspective


The glimmer of stars that reflects in her eyes
The beauty of the stars reflecting in her eyes


How many million of light years it took to arrive
The vastness of time and distance to reach this point


At the edge of what's known and the top of the veil
At the boundary of what is familiar and the unknown


The place where a soul to be born
The place where new life is created


Has been waiting to fly
Waiting for the right time to be born and to take flight in life


Where we've been we don't remember
We forget where we've come from as we move forward in life


As we fall into this storm
As we face challenges and difficulties


We're taken in as we surrender to the death of being born
Through surrender, we are reborn and embrace new life


Coming alive
Finding vitality and new hope in the midst of challenges




Contributed by Claire E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Charles Stone

Man I love this guy, invariably he will leave me in tears with with chills running up and down my shoulders arms and spine ,the first time I heard Language Of The Heart I couldn't stop crying . The heart of a poet wno writes so eloquently about the human condition. And his guitar playing which is another page altogether

Joe and Carolyn Isaacs

Amazing fingers playing guitar chords, vocal cords hitting perfect notes, and all of that is blown away by the dexterity of his mind.

Julie Galvin

I've been a fan for twenty years; seen him in concert twice. Always soothing, inspiring, humorous, philosophical... even the humor is philosophical. He's a keeper.

Pete Kevin

Having had the chance to see David in Katy, Texas many years ago, is still fresh in my memory. But, the best part was when he let me play the guitar he's playing in this concert. Thanks David. I'm still trying to figure out tunings. Best journey, still arriving, constantly. Love you Brother.

Andrea E. Bacchi

Amazing artist. Just can't get enough of David's music.

M Walker

Wow, your awesome. Like a modern Arlo Guthrie. I'm playing this while working on my hobby, guitars. Thank you sir.

Donn La Rossa

EXCELLENT DAVID! As usual! Loved seeing in in Malibu's Pepperdine College.

Stuart bowen jr

Spontaneous Spirit-led song at 1:14:12 is spectacular! It's what the best songcreating is all about. A true troubadour.

Jeffrey C. McAndrew

What a genius performer!

Glenn Brace

I would love to sit in with this man, and play some wonderful music. Its a dream I have. I love what he does. Kindest regards David, your friend Glenn.

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