Harder Than It Seems
Guardian Lyrics


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MYSTERY GIRL RUNS AWAY -
TO A HARLOT CITY'S HARD EMBRACE -
SEEKING WHAT'S BEEN ADVERTISED -
ALL THE LIFE THAT'S BEEN DENIED-
A FEVER BURNS IN EVERY JOINT-
A PLEA IN EVERY NEEDLEPOINT-
COMMUNION -
CAN YOU HAVE A PERFECT LOVER WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING LOVE?
CAN YOU SEE A BRIGHTER FUTURE WITHOUT SEEKING WHAT YOU HIDE?
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT SIMPLE TRUTH IS DEEPER THAN IS WIDE -
STILL I KNOW...
SOMETIMES ITS HARDER THAN IT SEEMS-
SOMETIMES ITS HARDER THAN IT SEEMS-
MYSTERY GIRL WALKS ALONE-
THROUGH THE DOORS A HUNDRED OFFERINGS MADE -
HEAR THE ECHO, TOUCH THE WOOD -
AS A DEEPER LONGING LONGS FOR GOOD...
AND AS THE CANDLE LEAVES YOUR HAND -
FEEL THE WARMTH AND UNDERSTAND -
COMMUNION -
CAN YOU HAVE A PERFECT LOVER WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING LOVE?
CAN YOU SEE A BRIGHTER FUTURE WITHOUT SEEKING WHAT YOU HIDE?
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT SIMPLE TRUTH IS DEEPER THAN IS WIDE-
STILL I KNOW…
SOMETIMES IT HARDER THAN IT SEEMS-
SOMETIMES IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS-
AND YOU'RE WANTING TO BELIEVE-
SOMETIMES IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS -
SHAME IS LIKE A BLISTER EVERY STEP WILL MAKE IT WORSE -
AND THE VESSELS OF YOUR GREAT ESCAPE HAVE ALL BUT DISAPPEARED -
AND YOU HEAR THE SAVIOR CALL YOU TO A LIFE BEYOND YOUR MEANS
AND I KNOW EVEN A SIMPLE FAITH IS HARDER THAN IT SEEMS- IT SEEMS-
CAN YOU HAVE A PERFECT LOVER WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING LOVE?
CAN YOU SEE A BRIGHTER FUTURE WITHOUT SEEKING WHAT YOU HIDE?
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT SIMPLE TRUTH IS DEEPER THAN IS WIDE-
STILL I KNOW
SOMETIMES IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS-
SOMETIMES IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS-




AND YOU'RE WANTING TO BELIEVE -
SOMETIMES IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS -

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Guardian's song "Harder Than It Seems" tell the story of a mysterious girl who is seeking something that has been denied to her in her life. She runs away to a city of harlots, hoping to find what she's been looking for, but she discovers that the reality is not as glamorous as advertised. She's left with a fever burning in every joint, and a plea in every needlepoint. As she walks alone through the city, she's confronted with a deeper longing for goodness that she cannot ignore.


The song then poses a series of questions: can you have a perfect lover without understanding love? Can you see a brighter future without seeking what you hide? The singer acknowledges that the simple truth is deeper than it seems, yet he knows that sometimes it's harder than it seems to find that truth. Shame is like a blister that only gets worse with every step, and the pathways for escape have all but disappeared. Even with the savior calling her to a life beyond her means, having faith is harder than it seems.


Ultimately, the song is a message of hope to anyone who is struggling through life's challenges. The singer acknowledges that it's not easy to find meaning and purpose, but he urges listeners to keep pushing forward and seeking the truth, even when it seems impossible.


Line by Line Meaning

MYSTERY GIRL RUNS AWAY
An unknown girl is running away from something


TO A HARLOT CITY'S HARD EMBRACE
She is seeking refuge in a city known for prostitution


SEEKING WHAT'S BEEN ADVERTISED
She is looking for something that she has seen or heard about


ALL THE LIFE THAT'S BEEN DENIED
She has been deprived of a fulfilling life and is searching for it


A FEVER BURNS IN EVERY JOINT
She is consumed by an intense desire for something


A PLEA IN EVERY NEEDLEPOINT
Her desperation is evident in every action she takes


COMMUNION
Connection with a higher power or entity is sought


CAN YOU HAVE A PERFECT LOVER WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING LOVE?
One cannot have a truly perfect partner without knowing and understanding love


CAN YOU SEE A BRIGHTER FUTURE WITHOUT SEEKING WHAT YOU HIDE?
We cannot have a better future without confronting and working on our inner struggles and hidden issues


AND I UNDERSTAND THAT SIMPLE TRUTH IS DEEPER THAN IS WIDE - STILL I KNOW...
Although we know that truth is simple, it is often hard to accept and act upon


SOMETIMES IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS -
The journey to find what we seek can be difficult and fraught with obstacles


MYSTERY GIRL WALKS ALONE
The girl is on a lonely journey with no one to help or guide her


THROUGH THE DOORS A HUNDRED OFFERINGS MADE
She is bombarded with many tempting options along the way


HEAR THE ECHO, TOUCH THE WOOD
She senses the presence of something beyond herself, possibly a religious experience


AS A DEEPER LONGING LONGS FOR GOOD...
She has a deep desire for goodness and fulfillment


AND AS THE CANDLE LEAVES YOUR HAND - FEEL THE WARMTH AND UNDERSTAND - COMMUNION
As she lets go of control and seeks connection with a higher power, she feels warmth and understanding


AND YOU'RE WANTING TO BELIEVE
She wants to have faith in something greater than herself


SHAME IS LIKE A BLISTER EVERY STEP WILL MAKE IT WORSE
The shame and guilt she carries is a constant burden that only grows with every move she makes


AND THE VESSELS OF YOUR GREAT ESCAPE HAVE ALL BUT DISAPPEARED
The options that once seemed like a way out are no longer available


AND YOU HEAR THE SAVIOR CALL YOU TO A LIFE BEYOND YOUR MEANS
She hears a call to something better, but it seems out of reach


AND I KNOW EVEN A SIMPLE FAITH IS HARDER THAN IT SEEMS- IT SEEMS-
Believing in something higher and better can be challenging, even when the concept is simple


SOMETIMES IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS -
The path to a better life can be a difficult one


AND YOU'RE WANTING TO BELIEVE - SOMETIMES IT'S HARDER THAN IT SEEMS -
The desire to believe in something better can be hindered by the challenges that arise




Contributed by Arianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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