Various Storms & Saints
Florence the Machine Lyrics


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And the air was full
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
Oh, you got a hold on me
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

Overall Meaning

"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
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