Phoenix
Fogelberg Dan Lyrics

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I have cried too
I have cried too long
I have cried too
I have cried too long
No more sorrow,
Got to carry on

Found deep water

Before I've even learned to swim
Found deep water
Before I've even learned to swim
Never thought I'd
See the sun again

Once I was a
Once I was a man alone
Once I was a
Once I was a man alone
Now I've found a
Heart to call my home

Like a Phoenix,
I have risen from the flames
Like a Phoenix,
I have risen from the flames
No more living
Someone else's dreams

I have cried too
I have cried too long
I have cried too
I have cried too long
No more sorrow
Got to carry on

You almost had me, old lady
You almost tied me down good
You played the lady in waiting
And I waited as long as I could

Too long the songs have been silent
Too long the strings have been still
I never knew what you wanted
An I guess that I Never Will

Like a phoenix,
I have risen from the flames
Like a phoenix,
I have risen from the flames
No more living
Someone else's dreams

I have cried too
I have cried too long
I have cried too
I have cried too long

No more sorrow
Got to carry on

Overall Meaning

The song "Phoenix" by Dan Fogelberg explores the theme of rising from the ashes and overcoming sorrow and heartbreak. The lyrics suggest that the singer has gone through a deep emotional pain, having cried too long over his past experiences. He talks about finding himself in deep water before he has even learned to swim, which symbolizes how he was thrown into a difficult situation without any guidance or support. He never thought he would see the sun again, referencing a feeling of hopelessness and despair.

The singer then reveals that he was once a man alone, but now he has found a heart to call his home. This shows that he has found love and a sense of belonging, which has helped him to rise from the flames like a Phoenix. The lyrics highlight that he is no longer living someone else's dreams, indicating that he has finally found his own purpose and direction.

In the second verse, he addresses an old lady who almost had him tied down, symbolizing how he was almost trapped in a situation that was not good for him. He talks about how he played the waiting game but ultimately realized that he never knew what she wanted, and he never will.

Overall, "Phoenix" is a song about resilience, hope, and finding oneself amidst difficulties and heartbreak. It is an inspiring and uplifting song that encourages listeners to keep pushing forward and to believe that they can rise from whatever challenges they might be facing.

Line by Line Meaning

I have cried too
I have shed tears for long enough

I have cried too long
I have cried for an extended period of time

No more sorrow,
I will not feel sadness anymore

Got to carry on
I must keep moving forward

Found deep water
I inadvertently came across something difficult

Before I've even learned to swim
I faced this difficulty before I was even prepared

Never thought I'd
I did not expect

See the sun again
To feel happiness again

Once I was a
I used to be

Man alone
Someone who was by themselves

Now I've found a
I have discovered