Dancing Horses
Echo & the Bunnymen Lyrics

Jimmy brown
An allusion to the children's song "Jimmy Brown the Newsboy," a symbol of youthful innocence.

Made of stone
Being weathered and hardened by life's experiences, becoming emotionally impenetrable.

Charlie clown
A metaphor for oneself or another party who may seem foolish or insincere.

No way home
Feeling lost, trapped or hopeless; physically or emotionally disconnected from a sense of belonging or comfort.

Bringing on the dancing horses
Summoning a surge of passion and energy to combat feelings of despair and loneliness.

Headless and all alone
Being vulnerable and helpless, lacking control or direction in one's life.

Shiver and say the words
To confess to one's doubts and anxieties, confront one's internal stresses.

Of every lie you've heard
Acknowledging and dispelling the falsehoods that may have caused one's emotional or psychological distress.

First I'm gonna make it
Being resolute in achieving one's goals or aspirations, setting high expectations for oneself.

Then I'm gonna break it
Deliberately rising to face adversity, challenging oneself to greater achievement while also risking failure.

Till it falls apart
Facing the consequences of one's actions, being ready to undergo the painful learnings that arise from one's failure, and accepting that failure is important to succeed.

Hating all the faking
Being cynical toward insincere motives or dishonesty, valuing authenticity and realness in one's relationships.

And shaking while I'm breaking
Despite the fear or pain caused by personal challenges or tribulations, continuing to persevere and rise up.

Your brittle heart
Critiquing the vulnerability or fragility of someone else's emotions or motives.

Billy stands
A simple, unadulterated name as a symbol of universal, primal truth: life is fragile and fleeting.

Sinking sand
Feeling unstable, unsure or sinking amidst life's demands and pressures.

Skin and bone
Representing one's physical body, while simultaneously addressing the fragility and ephemerality of human life.

Bring on the dancing horses
Akin to a pledge to continue pushing forward, to continue seeking passion and vitality in one's life even amidst hardships.

Wherever they may roam
Pledging to pursue these ideals in any circumstance, no matter how trying or difficult.

Bring on the new messiah
Praying for the arrival of a savior, a figure who will provide clarity, guidance, and hope.

And our little hearts go
Concluding the narrative by bringing together all of the smaller ideas that are contained in the song, along with recognizing the vast array of emotions that we experience throughout our lives.