If It Wasn't For The Night
David Wilcox Lyrics
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So cold this time of year
The stars would never shine so bright
So beautiful and clear
I have walked this road alone
My thin coat against the chill
When the light in me was gone
When I grieved for all I?d made
Out of all I had to give
On the eve of Christmas day
With no reason left to live
Even then somehow in the bitter wind and cold
Impossibly strong I know
Even then a bloom as tender as a rose
Was breaking through the snow
In the dark night of the soul
In the dark night of the soul
If it wasn't for the babe
Lying helpless on the straw
There would be no Christmas day
And the night would just go on
When it seem that death has won
Buried deep beneath the snow
Where the summer leaves have gone
The seed of hope will grow
David Wilcox's song "If It Wasn't For The Night" is a beautiful and poetic ode to the darkness, the cold, and the moments of despair that we all face in our lives. The verses speak of walking alone on a cold winter night, feeling the chill of the air against one's thin coat, and grieving for all that has been lost. The chorus, however, offers a hopeful perspective on this darkness; it suggests that it is precisely because of the night that the stars can shine so bright and beautiful. Similarly, it is because of the darkness and despair that we can find moments of hope and new growth.
One of the most striking moments in the song comes when Wilcox sings of a "bloom as tender as a rose / breaking through the snow" even in the midst of bitter cold and darkness. This is a powerful image of the resiliency of the human spirit and the possibility of new life emerging from even the most unpromising circumstances. The final verse speaks of the hope that lies dormant in the darkest moments of our lives, waiting to bloom like a seed in the spring.
Overall, "If It Wasn't For The Night" is a deeply spiritual and hopeful song that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of despair and darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
If it wasn't for the night
Without darkness, there would be no opportunity to appreciate the light.
So cold this time of year
Winter represents difficulties and challenges that are often disturbing.
The stars would never shine so bright
The beauty and uniqueness of the night sky would not be so vivid without the darkness.
So beautiful and clear
The clarity and aesthetic of the night sky is only visible in the pitch darkness.
I have walked this road alone
Individuals often traverse life's challenges independently.
My thin coat against the chill
Difficult times often manifest as uncomfortable, cold situations in life.
When the light in me was gone
When hope and positivity no longer exist within an individual, life becomes unbearable.
And my winter house was stilled
During life's winter season, people experience extreme sadness or feeling of voids.
When I grieved for all I?d made
Feelings of regret are prevalent during challenging or depressing times of life, and one may dwell on things they could have done better.
Out of all I had to give
Even after people give their all, sometimes the road is still tough and depressing.
On the eve of Christmas day
This date is significant because it represents the possibility of new beginnings, no matter how small.
With no reason left to live
Life's situations can be so dire that an individual may lose their desire to carry on or find anything enjoyable.
Even then somehow in the bitter wind and cold
Despite everything seeming to fall apart, there is still hope.
Impossibly strong I know
The hope that arises during challenging times is not weakness, but strength - it's what gets you through.
Even then a bloom as tender as a rose
Despite life's bitter taste, new beginnings are still possible, like a rose blooming through the frost.
Was breaking through the snow
Despite the bleakness of winter, there are spring-like signs of rebirth and recovery.
In the dark night of the soul
There are situations in life where it feels like things are unrecoverable, but that is not always the case.
If it wasn't for the babe
The birth of Christ represents hope and new beginnings in a world that seems bleak and unfair.
Lying helpless on the straw
God's humility in coming into the world as a vulnerable baby is a testament to the joy that comes with letting go.
There would be no Christmas day
Christmas day represents a spark of new hope amidst the darkness of winter and difficult life situations.
And the night would just go on
Without hope, the darkness would merely continue unbroken.
When it seem that death has won
During the toughest of times, it feels like life is over, and dark times are getting the best of you.
Buried deep beneath the snow
Feelings of depression can be all-consuming, rendering people inactive and unable to function.
Where the summer leaves have gone
The leaves falling off is symbolic of the fleeting nature of seasons, good times, and life in general.
The seed of hope will grow
Despite dark times and the seeming futility of marking progress, hope continues to grow and blossom.
Lyrics © SOROKA MUSIC LTD., BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID WILCOX, PIERCE PETTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind