Jack of Shadows
Hawkwind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daemon of darkness, brother to the night
Jack of Shadows, what's he hanging out for?
King of the dimensions, the other side of light
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
Jack of Shadows, cloak of constellations
Draped around his body, blanking out his face
Jack of Shadows, don't believe in God, he
Steals from the future, fades without a trace
And when the flames flare
Flickering forms of velvet dark
He plays his games there
It's only Jack of Shadows, he's lit up by a spark
To run into the umbra , as fast as a shark
Jack of Shadows, ultravoilet eyesight
Giving him the vision that cats-eye infrared
Jack of Shadows, watch him as he flies right
Through all of the umbras, quicker than the dead
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
It's only Jack of Shadows on his way back
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows.......
The lyrics to Hawkwind's "Jack of Shadows" describe a mysterious and elusive figure, who is both feared and revered. He is described as a "nocturnal outlaw", a "daemon of darkness", and the "king of the dimensions". He is shrouded in a cloak of constellations that covers his face, and he has ultraviolet eyesight that allows him to see through the darkness. He "steals from the future, and fades without a trace". In short, Jack of Shadows is a supernatural being who exists on the other side of light, who is at once powerful, enigmatic, and dangerous.
The lyrics also suggest that Jack is associated with a realm of outcasts and thieves, which he calls his "kingdom". He is a master of disguise, and when he appears, he casts "shades of mystery black" that flow like molasses. The imagery used to describe Jack and his domain is otherworldly, conjuring up a sense of magic and enchantment. The lyrics suggest that Jack is a figure of both fascination and fear, representing the dark mysteries that lie just beyond the reach of human understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Jack of Shadows, nocturnal outlaw
The person referred to as Jack of Shadows is a criminal who operates under the cover of darkness.
Daemon of darkness, brother to the night
He is connected to the darkness like a supernatural being and is a creature of the night.
Jack of Shadows, what's he hanging out for?
The purpose or reason for Jack of Shadows' activities is unknown or unclear.
King of the dimensions, the other side of light
He has control or power over a realm beyond what can be seen in the light.
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
It's only Jack of Shadows on his way back
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
When Jack of Shadows moves, he creates an aura of darkness filled with intrigue and secrets. He is returning to his criminal underworld hideout before dawn.
Jack of Shadows, cloak of constellations
Draped around his body, blanking out his face
The attire of Jack of Shadows resembles the night sky, and he hides his face with it.
Jack of Shadows, don't believe in God, he
Steals from the future, fades without a trace
Jack of Shadows is an atheist who steals from the future without being noticed or leaving any evidence behind.
And when the flames flare
Flickering forms of velvet dark
He plays his games there
It's only Jack of Shadows, he's lit up by a spark
To run into the umbra , as fast as a shark
When there is a situation of chaos or commotion, Jack of Shadows takes advantage and carries out his activities. He disappears quickly into the darkness like a shark into a shadowy area.
Jack of Shadows, ultravoilet eyesight
Giving him the vision that cats-eye infrared
Jack of Shadows has eyes that allow him to see in the dark, like an animal's eyes.
Jack of Shadows, watch him as he flies right
Through all of the umbras, quicker than the dead
Jack of Shadows moves rapidly through the darkness as if flying, outpacing even the deceased.
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows.......
Repetition of the name 'Jack of Shadows' to emphasize his presence and importance in the song.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ADRIAN PAUL SHAW, ROBERT NEWTON CALVERT, SIMON HOUSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Spirit-Of-The-Age
Jack of Shadows, nocturnal outlaw
Daemon of darkness, brother to the night
Jack of Shadows, what's he hanging out for?
King of the dimensions, the other side of light
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
It's only Jack of Shadows on his way back
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
Jack of Shadows, cloak of constellations
Draped around his body, blanking out his face
Jack of Shadows, don't believe in God, he
Steals from the future, fades without a trace
And when the flames flare
Flickering forms of velvet dark
He plays his games there
It's only Jack of Shadows, he's lit up by a spark
To run into the umbra , as fast as a shark
Jack of Shadows, ultravoilet eyesight
Giving him the vision that cats-eye infrared
Jack of Shadows, watch him as he flies right
Through all of the umbras, quicker than the dead
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
It's only Jack of Shadows on his way back
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows.......
@Spirit-Of-The-Age
Jack of Shadows, nocturnal outlaw
Daemon of darkness, brother to the night
Jack of Shadows, what's he hanging out for?
King of the dimensions, the other side of light
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
It's only Jack of Shadows on his way back
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
Jack of Shadows, cloak of constellations
Draped around his body, blanking out his face
Jack of Shadows, don't believe in God, he
Steals from the future, fades without a trace
And when the flames flare
Flickering forms of velvet dark
He plays his games there
It's only Jack of Shadows, he's lit up by a spark
To run into the umbra , as fast as a shark
Jack of Shadows, ultravoilet eyesight
Giving him the vision that cats-eye infrared
Jack of Shadows, watch him as he flies right
Through all of the umbras, quicker than the dead
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
It's only Jack of Shadows on his way back
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows.......
@Spirit-Of-The-Age
Jack of Shadows, nocturnal outlaw
Daemon of darkness, brother to the night
Jack of Shadows, what's he hanging out for?
King of the dimensions, the other side of light
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
It's only Jack of Shadows on his way back
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
Jack of Shadows, cloak of constellations
Draped around his body, blanking out his face
Jack of Shadows, don't believe in God, he
Steals from the future, fades without a trace
And when the flames flare
Flickering forms of velvet dark
He plays his games there
It's only Jack of Shadows, he's lit up by a spark
To run into the umbra , as fast as a shark
Jack of Shadows, ultravoilet eyesight
Giving him the vision that cats-eye infrared
Jack of Shadows, watch him as he flies right
Through all of the umbras, quicker than the dead
And when he passes
He casts shades of mystery black
Flowing like molasses
It's only Jack of Shadows on his way back
To the kindom of thieves
Before the skies crack
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows
Jack of Shadows, Jack of Shadows.......
@uapuat
I saw them do this song in Liverpool the day after Marc Bolan died. They dedicated it to him.
@Spirit-Of-The-Age
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGNs_PDmUlc
@Vlekistan
Wow!!!
@rumpraisin
The riff in this is similar to the riff in Laser Love by MB.
@andymackie8283
This was a great album: Infinity, Highrise, Robot, Uncle Sam's on Mars.....
@Wormtongue13
I agree.
@johnmiller8553
The song is based of the protagonist in the Roger Zelazny novel of the same name, Jack of Shadow
@uapuat
And I a very good novel it is, too!
@livebass99
I stand corrected, I had Michael Moorcock in mind because of the many other collaborations with him by Hawkwind, but yes this story was Zelazny .