Child
Hammill Peter Lyrics
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and my eyes don't see too clear;
all I know is I need you here,
if only to shield me from the mood of the world
and hold me and say it doesn't matter....
but I'm like a child whose dreams are shattered,
Crowding round me: images of broken thought,
All I can feel is I'm so alone,
without even your bright eyes to reach into my mind
and say that in my life I've done right,
and I'm like a moonchild in the sunlight.
So cast your thoughts upon me, wherever you are,
that I may feel you close beside me
and hold your hand, for you to guide me
through all these catacombs which freeze me
with their touch;
unknowing, knowing so much, my mind cries out
and I'm like a child when the light's out
With a child's fear of the dark
"Child" is a heart-wrenching song by Peter Hammill that speaks to the vulnerability of being human. The song opens with a sense of confusion and a feeling of uncertainty as the singer is unsure of what's happening and his eyes cannot see too clear. However, what is certain is that he needs the person he is addressing to shield him from the mood of the world and hold him, even if it doesn't matter what is happening. He likens himself to a child whose dreams have been shattered. The mood of loneliness and the longing for the person he is addressing to be with him in this moment is deeply felt.
The second verse talks about the images of broken thought that are crowding the singer's mind. His life lines seem to be overgrown, and he can't seem to shake off the feeling of loneliness that has set in. He yearns for the person to hold his hand and guide him through the catacombs of his mind, which have frozen him with their touch. The singer is unknowing, knowing so much, and his mind cries out, likening himself to a child when the light is out, with a fear of the dark.
In conclusion, "Child" is a beautiful song that reflects our vulnerability as human beings. The song highlights the need for others to comfort us when we are down, and how the lack of that comfort can leave us feeling lonely and vulnerable. The song speaks to the universal need to feel loved and to be comforted.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know quite what's happening
I am uncertain about my surroundings
and my eyes don't see too clear;
My vision is blurred
all I know is I need you here,
I require your presence
if only to shield me from the mood of the world
To protect me from the emotions of the world
and hold me and say it doesn't matter....
Comfort me by saying nothing is significant
but I'm like a child whose dreams are shattered,
Feeling helpless, as if my dreams have been crushed
Crowding round me: images of broken thought,
Distressing thoughts flood my mind
lines of my life now overgrown.
Aspects of my life are left abandoned and forgotten
All I can feel is I'm so alone,
I feel isolated
without even your bright eyes to reach into my mind
I need your presence to understand me
and say that in my life I've done right,
Assure me that I made the right choices in my life
and I'm like a moonchild in the sunlight.
I feel out of place and vulnerable
So cast your thoughts upon me, wherever you are,
Send me your positive energy, regardless of your location
that I may feel you close beside me
So I can sense your presence
and hold your hand, for you to guide me
For you to direct me
through all these catacombs which freeze me
Guide me through my frozen and closed off emotions
with their touch;
My emotions are overwhelming
unknowing, knowing so much, my mind cries out
My mind's conflicting thoughts are overwhelming
and I'm like a child when the light's out
Scared and unsure, just like a child in the dark
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER HAMMILL, PETER JOSEPH ANDREW HAMMILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dickan3706
magique magnifique sensuel .pete la classe..
@skatterbrain2427
Very nice recording of a very nice song! Thank you
@RadioInuit
It's from Peter Hammill's first solo album "Fools Mate"
:-)
@BravuraK
Thank you for 'Lights and Lamps' RadioInuit. I am sure Brave Robyn will know her departure to the other side today was helped
along by so many beautiful thoughts and words.
MoonchildXX, SunLightHug, Susan
@RadioInuit
PH sometimes says "sorry for all those dark and desperate songs". I often see a light in PH's songs where i think not even himself sees it. Can't put the finger on it though. Maybe the sheer fact that such feelings turn into Song.
I hope some comfort, solace or hope comes across...
SunchildXX, MoonlightHug, Jman
@skatterbrain2427
RadioInuit it does and the fact that you enjoy it as well is hope; thank you
@SkipWay
What a voice! nice images to go with the song.
@RadioInuit
Thanks Skip!
I first heard PH when i was 15 and someone left a Van der Graaf Generator cassette in the little portable taperecorder that was in the dark room where i developed black/white photographies. I was sitting stunned in the red light room, lost connection with the outside world, never heard anything like it before.
The B-Side was Alan Stivell!
@SkipWay
dramatic introduction! I haven't explored Alan Stivell!. Is Tir Na N-og - Symphonie Celtique - 1979 a good place to start?
@RadioInuit
*****
I'd go even to earlier days, but certainly before his "new age music" of the 80ies and 90ies.
From "Chemins de Terre" 1973: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1gOZF9Rlmg&list=PLD9F9163809231E28&index=7
at that time he went popular with his celtic music by adding rock (Guitar: Dan Ar Bras).
He is also interesting as historical figure:
As a child he asked his father to build a celtic harp for him. That was the first one built in 300 years! Since then he acted as ambassador for celtic music. It would be NOWHERE without him. Also due to him they teach breton (a gaelic dialect) in the Bretagne again in schools. It was french only before him. He made a difference in the music world and is not really well know for that. A Hero not widely known. "Stivell" is breton - it means "The Source"...
:-)