Gregson-Williams won a musical scholarship to St John's College School, Cambridge at the age of seven, where he was a child chorister, and later attended Stowe School, a boarding independent school in the civil parish of Stowe in Buckinghamshire, where he was a music scholar, followed by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Reap & Sow
Harry Gregson-Williams Lyrics
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Oh I'm not surprised.
Lose your eyes, lose the blindfold.
I can't lie you reap what you sow.
Don't you see you're all alone?
Yes your fine, be in control.
Oh the world is out to get you I know.
Overworked, underdressed,
You wonder why your life a mess,
Mental hurt, heavy chest,
You can show what happens next,
Build it up, burn it down,
When you see you've lost your ground,
Fill the cup, take it down,
It can't be saved, “why must you drown?”
1,2,3 let's go!
cnd I know you do what you're told,
Oh I'm not surprised.
Lose your eyes, lose the blindfold.
I can't lie you reap what you sow.
Don't you see you're all alone?
Yes your fine, be in control.
Oh the world is out to get you I know.
cnd you wonder why all the time stops,
When the world don't spin around you,
cnd you looking for a star to fall down,
But the clouds always block your view.
Beauty doesn't make you a ten,
You don't know it yet so don't sweat,
Stay cool.
I pray you find your soul,
If you should lose control.
I'm looking up, up, up, up, up, up where I'm told.
I'm looking up, up, up, up, up, up, where I'm told.
I'm looking up, up, up, where I'm told.
The song "Reap & Sow" by Harry Gregson-Williams explores themes of obedience, control, self-awareness, and the consequences of one's actions. The opening lyrics suggest that the person being addressed follows instructions and behaves as expected, and the singer is not surprised by this. The line "lose your eyes, lose the blindfold" can be interpreted as a call to remove the barriers that prevent one from seeing the truth or taking control of their own life. The line "I can't lie you reap what you sow" highlights the idea that one will experience the consequences of their actions.
The next verse delves into the struggles faced by the individual. The mention of being overworked and underdressed suggests a feeling of constant burden and chaos. The line "mental hurt, heavy chest" indicates emotional turmoil that weighs heavily on the person. The phrase "build it up, burn it down" implies a cycle of constructing and destroying, perhaps reflecting a pattern of self-sabotage. The line "fill the cup, take it down" suggests seeking temporary relief or escape through unhealthy habits. The question "why must you drown?" implies a plea to question one's destructive behavior and seek a healthier path.
The repetition of "1,2,3 let's go!" adds a sense of urgency and determination, urging the person to take action and break free from their current situation. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the idea that the individual is alone and should take control of their life despite the adversities they face in a world that seems to be against them.
The following section explores the feeling of time standing still and the frustration of not being able to find the desired outcome. The metaphor of looking for a star to fall down, but the clouds blocking the view, suggests the person's aspirations and dreams being hindered by obstacles or circumstances beyond their control. The mention of beauty and not knowing one's worth yet advises not to worry about superficial qualities and to stay true to oneself. The line "I pray you find your soul, if you should lose control" suggests that even in moments of lost control, there is hope for self-discovery and finding inner strength.
The repetition of "I'm looking up, up, up where I'm told" throughout the song can be interpreted as a reminder to stay determined and hopeful despite external influences or expectations. It signifies the singer's willingness to rise above their current situation and believe in a better future. Overall, "Reap & Sow" encourages self-reflection, seeking control, and finding inner resolve in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
cnd I know you do what you're told,
I am aware that you always follow instructions.
Oh I'm not surprised.
I expected your obedience.
Lose your eyes, lose the blindfold.
Open your eyes and remove your ignorance.
I can't lie you reap what you sow.
I cannot deny that you will face the consequences of your actions.
Don't you see you're all alone?
Do you not realize that you are isolated?
Yes your fine, be in control.
You may appear fine, but maintain control.
Oh the world is out to get you I know.
I understand that the world is against you.
Overworked, underdressed,
Exhausted from excessive work, yet inadequately prepared.
You wonder why your life a mess,
You question why your life is chaotic.
Mental hurt, heavy chest,
Emotionally wounded, burdened with a heavy heart.
You can show what happens next,
You possess the ability to determine the outcome.
Build it up, burn it down,
Construct something, only to destroy it.
When you see you've lost your ground,
Upon realizing that you have no stable foundation.
Fill the cup, take it down,
Fill your cup, but ultimately consume its contents.
It can't be saved, “why must you drown?”
It cannot be rescued, so why do you choose to suffer?
1,2,3 let's go!
Counting down to take action.
cnd you wonder why all the time stops,
You question why time seems to stand still.
When the world don't spin around you,
When the world does not revolve around you.
cnd you looking for a star to fall down,
You are searching for a star to descend.
But the clouds always block your view.
Yet, the clouds consistently obstruct your vision.
Beauty doesn't make you a ten,
Exterior attractiveness does not define your worth.
You don't know it yet so don't sweat,
You may not realize it, so do not worry.
Stay cool.
Remain composed and calm.
I pray you find your soul,
I hope you discover your true essence.
If you should lose control.
In case you lose your composure.
I'm looking up, up, up, up, up, up where I'm told.
I am fixating my attention in the direction instructed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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