The Hill
Glen Hansard/Marketa Irglova Lyrics
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And you have closed your eyes,
I wish I didn't have to make all those mistakes and be wise.
Please try to be patient and know that I'm still learning.
I'm sorry that you have to see the strength inside me burning.
Where are you my angel now?
Don't you see me crying?
But you can't say I'm not trying.
I'm on my knees in front of him
But he doesn't seem to see me
But all his troubles on this night
Is looking right through me
And I'm letting myself down
By satisfying you
And I wish that you could see
I have my troubles, too.
Looking at you sleeping,
Another man I love.
I'm sitting here weeping
While the hours pass so slow.
I know that in the morning
I have to let you go
And you'll be just a man
Once I used to know.
Before these past days
Someone I don't recognize
This isn't all my fault.
When will you realize?
Looking at you leaving,
I'm looking for a sign.
The Hill by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova is a song about self-discovery and growth in relationships. The lyrics reflect the singer's internal struggle to reconcile with her actions and her partner's inability to see her for who she has become. She is climbing a hill at night, possibly metaphorical for her difficult journey towards growth and self-realization, while her partner is asleep with closed eyes, implying his indifference towards her inner turmoil. She is expressing her regrets and acknowledging her mistakes but wishes she did not have to be wise to learn from them. She appeals to her partner to be patient as she is still trying to grow and change. She apologizes for the strength inside her that is burning, possibly signifying her desire to be more than what the relationship allows her to be.
The chorus of the song reveals the singer's longing for support from her partner. She is crying, and though she knows her partner is capable of doing everything, she wishes he would acknowledge her efforts as well. She is on her knees in front of him, but he does not seem to see her. Rather, he is absorbed in his own troubles, and the singer feels invisible. She has let herself down by trying to satisfy her partner's expectations without any regard for her troubles. She wishes her partner could see that she has her own difficulties, and she is not just a means to please him.
In the last verse, the singer is watching her partner sleep after another man she loves has left. She is weeping while the hours pass, slow and heavy. She knows that she has to let her partner go in the morning, and he will just be a man she used to know. She acknowledges that this isn't all her fault and that her partner needs to realize this. She is looking for a sign as her partner leaves, possibly indicating her hope that he will see her for who she is and support her in her journey towards self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking up the hill tonight
I'm making a journey towards a challenging task or situation.
And you have closed your eyes
You're not able to see or understand my struggle, my emotions, or my intentions.
I wish I didn't have to make all those mistakes and be wise
I regret my past actions, and if I could go back in time, I would have done things differently.
Please try to be patient and know that I'm still learning.
I'm asking for your empathy and understanding, as I'm still growing and developing as a person.
I'm sorry that you have to see the strength inside me burning.
I apologize for my passionate and intense nature, even if it makes you uncomfortable or scared.
Where are you my angel now?
I'm looking for comfort or guidance from someone who is usually there for me.
Don't you see me crying?
I'm feeling emotional pain and distress, and I wish someone would notice and care about me.
I know that you can do it all
I acknowledge your competence, strength, and capability.
But you can't say I'm not trying.
I'm doing my best to succeed, or at least to improve and grow.
I'm on my knees in front of him
I'm showing submission, respect, or devotion to someone who has power or influence over me.
But he doesn't seem to see me
I feel unnoticed, unappreciated, or ignored by the person I'm addressing.
But all his troubles on this night
He's preoccupied, stressed, or anxious about his own problems and challenges.
Is looking right through me
He's not paying attention or responding to my presence, my actions, or my feelings.
And I'm letting myself down
I'm disappointed or ashamed of my own actions, choices, or character.
By satisfying you
I'm compromising or sacrificing my own needs, desires, or values to please or appease someone else.
And I wish that you could see
I hope you could understand, accept, or appreciate my point of view or my situation.
I have my troubles, too.
I have my own difficulties, challenges, or flaws, and I need compassion and support as well.
Looking at you sleeping,
I'm watching you rest, relax, or recover.
Another man I love.
I have feelings of affection or attraction for someone else, in addition to you.
I'm sitting here weeping
I'm crying and feeling sad or overwhelmed with emotions.
While the hours pass so slow.
Time seems to be dragging, or my waiting is becoming unbearable.
I know that in the morning
I'm aware that a new day will come soon, with new challenges, opportunities, or changes.
I have to let you go
I have to detach, distance, or separate from you, either physically or emotionally.
And you'll be just a man
You'll be reduced to your basic human nature, without any exceptional qualities or significance.
Once I used to know.
You used to be someone familiar, intimate, or special to me, but not anymore.
Before these past days
Before recent events, encounters, or changes that altered my perception or my life.
Someone I don't recognize
You or I have changed so much that we're no longer the same person we used to be, or we no longer know each other well.
This isn't all my fault.
I'm not responsible or accountable for everything that went wrong or caused our conflicts.
When will you realize?
I wonder when or if you'll understand, acknowledge, or respect my feelings and my perspective.
Looking at you leaving,
I'm watching you depart, exit, or move away.
I'm looking for a sign.
I'm searching for some indication, hint, or clue about your thoughts, your feelings or your intentions.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARKETA IRGLOVA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind