Only If for a Night
Florence the Machine Lyrics


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And I had a dream
About my old school
And she was there all pink and gold and glittering
I threw my arms around her legs
Came to weeping (came to weeping)
Came to weeping (came to weeping)

And I heard your voice
As clear as day
And you told me I should concentrate
It was all so strange
And so surreal
That a ghost should be so practical
Only if for a night

And the only solution was to stand and fight
And my body was bruised and I was set alight
But you came over me like some holy rite
And although I was burning, you're the only light
Only if for a night

And the grass was so green against my new clothes
And I did cartwheels in your honour
Dancing on tiptoes
My own secret ceremonials
Before the service began
In the graveyard doing handstands

And I heard your voice
As clear as day
And you told me I should concentrate
It was all so strange
And so surreal
That a ghost should be so practical
Only if for a night

And the only solution was to stand and fight
And my body was bruised and I was set alight
But you came over me like some holy rite
And although I was burning, you're the only light
Only if for a night

Madam, my dear, my darling
Tell me what all the sighing's about
Tell me what all the sighing's about

And I heard your voice
As clear as day
And you told me I should concentrate
It was all so strange
And so surreal
That a ghost should be so practical
Only if for a night





Only if for a night

Overall Meaning

The song "Only If For A Night" by Florence and the Machine is a hauntingly beautiful tale about a dream. The song starts with the singer, Florence, explaining that she had a dream about her old school and in the dream, someone important to her was present. They were all "pink and gold and glittering," and she threw her arms around their legs, weeping. The dream is surreal and strange, but the highlight of the dream is that she hears their voice, clear as day, and they tell her she should concentrate. The whole dream feels ghostly, and the fact that the voice is just offering practical advice adds to this feeling.


The second verse begins with the same voice as before, asking Florence what all the sighing is about. The lyrics then take a darker turn as Florence is faced with a challenge. She must stand and fight despite her body being bruised and set alight. Suddenly, the person she had been searching for comes to her like a holy rite, and although she is burning, they are the only light she can see. The final verse returns to the dream, where Florence is in a graveyard, doing handstands before the service began. The dream is once again interrupted by the voice offering practical advice.


Overall, the song explores themes of loss and grief while also delving into the surreal nature of dreams. The dream reflects the singer's subconscious and the questions of what could have been if things were different.


Line by Line Meaning

And I had a dream
I had a dream


About my old school
I saw my old school in the dream


And she was there all pink and gold and glittering
The school was decorated in pink, gold, and glitter


I threw my arms around her legs
I embraced the school


Came to weeping (came to weeping)
I cried and became emotional


And I heard your voice
I heard your voice in the dream


As clear as day
Your voice was clear and distinct


And you told me I should concentrate
You advised me to focus


It was all so strange
The dream was weird and confusing


And so surreal
It was unreal and bizarre


That a ghost should be so practical
It was surprising that a ghost could give practical advice


Only if for a night
If only for one night


And the only solution was to stand and fight
I had to face the situation and fight


And my body was bruised and I was set alight
I suffered physical injuries and burns


But you came over me like some holy rite
You came to me and it felt like a divine intervention


And although I was burning, you're the only light
Even though I was in pain, you brought light and hope


Madam, my dear, my darling
Addressing someone affectionately


Tell me what all the sighing's about
Asking someone about the reason for their sighs


And the grass was so green against my new clothes
The grass looked vivid green against my new clothes


And I did cartwheels in your honour
I performed cartwheels to honor you


Dancing on tiptoes
Dancing on toes


My own secret ceremonials
My personal rituals or traditions


Before the service began
Before the funeral or ceremony started


In the graveyard doing handstands
Doing handstands in the cemetery




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL EPWORTH, FLORENCE WELCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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