Various Storms & Saints
Florence the Machine Lyrics
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Of various storms and saints
Parading in the streets
As the banks began to break
And I'm in the throes of it
Somewhere in the belly of the beast
But you took your toll on me
So I gave myself over willingly
I don't know how I don't just stand outside and scream
I am teaching myself how to be free
The monument of a memory
You tear it down in your head
Don't make the mountain your enemy
Get out, get up there instead
You saw the stars out in front of you
Too tempting not to touch
But even though it shocked you
Something's electric in your blood
Can people just untie themselves?
Uncurling like flowers
If you could just forgive yourself
But still you stumble, your feet give way
Outside the world seems a violent place
But you had to have him, and so you did
Some things you let go in order to live
While all around you the buildings sway
Sing it out loud "Who made us this way?"
I know you're bleeding, but you'll be okay
Hold on to your heart, you'll keep it safe
Hold on to your heart, don't give it away
Now find a rooftop to sing from
Now find a hallway to dance
You don't need no edge to cling from
Your heart is there, it's in your hands
I know it seems like forever
I know it seems like an age
But one day this will be over
I swear it's not so far away
Can people just untie themselves?
Uncurling like flowers
If you could just forgive yourself
But still you stumble, your feet give way
Outside the world seems a violent place
But you had to have him, and so you did
Some things you let go in order to live
While all around you the buildings sway
Sing it out loud "Who made us this way?"
I know you're bleeding, but you'll be okay
Hold on to your heart, you'll keep it safe
Hold on to your heart
"Various Storms and Saints" by Florence + the Machine is a song about the struggles of dealing with personal demons and trying to find a way out of them. The song envisions the world as being full of both storms and saints, both good and bad, parading in the streets. Florence describes herself as being in the throes of it, somewhere in the belly of the beast, and feeling as though she is being held captive by her own internal struggle.
Despite this, she holds on to hope that she can free herself from the hold of her demons. She sings about taking control of her own narrative and tearing down the monuments of bad memories and not making the mountain of struggles an enemy but a challenge to climb. The chorus repeats the phrase, "Hold on to your heart, you'll keep it safe," an encouragement to protect oneself and not give in to temptation or the pull of toxic relationships.
The song speaks to many who have faced their own internal struggles and have learned to navigate them. The lyrics inspire listeners not to give up, even when the world around them seems like a violent place. It encourages forgiveness of oneself and to embrace one's true identity to break free from one's demons.
Line by Line Meaning
And the air was full
The atmosphere was filled with turbulence and divine spirits
Of various storms and saints
Numerous contrasting natural catastrophes and holy beings
Parading in the streets
Moving around openly in public
As the banks began to break
When the financial institutions started to collapse
And I'm in the throes of it
I am caught up in this situation
Somewhere in the belly of the beast
In the midst of something fraught with danger and difficulty
But you took your toll on me
You have had a profound effect on me and drained me of my strength
So I gave myself over willingly
I surrendered myself without resistance
Oh, you got a hold on me
I am strongly under your influence
I don't know how I don't just stand outside and scream
I am struggling to suppress my emotions
I am teaching myself how to be free
I am learning to liberate myself from this situation
The monument of a memory
The symbol of a past experience
You tear it down in your head
You demolish it in your mind
Don't make the mountain your enemy
Do not view the obstacle as an adversary
Get out, get up there instead
Move out and overcome it no matter what
You saw the stars out in front of you
You believed in and were inspired by what lies ahead
Too tempting not to touch
It was almost irresistible
But even though it shocked you
Despite the surprise it gave you
Something's electric in your blood
Something energizing is flowing through you
Can people just untie themselves?
Is it possible for individuals to liberate themselves?
Uncurling like flowers
Blossoming and unfurling like flowers
If you could just forgive yourself
If you could only pardon yourself
But still you stumble, your feet give way
Nevertheless, you falter and lose your balance
Outside the world seems a violent place
The world appears intimidating and hostile from the outside
But you had to have him, and so you did
But you were so infatuated with him that you had to be with him
Some things you let go in order to live
Some things you abandon to survive
While all around you the buildings sway
While everything around you seems unstable and uncertain
Sing it out loud 'Who made us this way?'
Ask boldly, 'Who created us like this?'
I know you're bleeding, but you'll be okay
I understand that you are wounded, but you will recover
Hold on to your heart, you'll keep it safe
Hold onto your emotions, they will remain secure
Now find a rooftop to sing from
Discover a high place to express yourself
Now find a hallway to dance
Choose a path to move in rhythm
You don't need no edge to cling from
You do not need a surface to hold onto
Your heart is there, it's in your hands
Your emotions are within reach, under your control
I know it seems like forever
It may appear to last eternally
I know it seems like an age
It may feel like an exceptionally long period of time
But one day this will be over
But one day, this will come to an end
I swear it's not so far away
I guarantee it's not too distant
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Markus Dravs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind