Writing On The Wall
Hazel O 'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the floor, knocked down by booze
Busy man has blown his fuse
While crossword people look for clues
I say sir, get your nose out of the paper
Take a good look at what's going down
Get clued into the shape of
The shape of things to come
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Reaching out for you it calls
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Did you look for your cause?
Writing on the wall?
Life, I'm told's a compromise
Lethargy in disguise
Excuses by the faint of heart
Stuck in the mud before they start
I say sir, wouldn't you rather be on top of the world
As opposed to always travelling underneath the ground?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Reaching out for you it calls
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Did you look for your cause?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
La-la-la-la ...
I say sir, get your nose out of the paper
Take a good look at what's going on
Get clued into the shape of
The shape of things to come
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Reaching out for you it calls
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Did you look for your cause?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Reaching out for you it calls
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Did you look for your cause?
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
In Hazel O'Connor's song "Writing on the Wall," she tells the story of a busy man who has "blown his fuse" and is constantly distracted by the crossword puzzle in the newspaper. She implores him to "get clued into the shape of things to come" and take a good look at what's happening around him. The title, "Writing on the Wall," is a reference to a passage in the Bible (Daniel 5:5-31) where mysterious writing appears on a wall during a feast, warning King Belshazzar of his impending doom.
O'Connor's lyrics suggest that we should pay attention to the signs and symbols around us, even if they are subtle or difficult to decipher. She questions whether we have "looked for [our] cause" and urges us to be proactive in shaping our future. The refrain, "Have you seen the writing on the wall?" is a reminder to be vigilant and aware of the world around us.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea of taking action and being engaged in the world. It encourages us to pay attention to what's happening and to actively work towards our goals and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Down a tunnel, in a tube
In the depths of a system, feeling trapped and confined
On the floor, knocked down by booze
Drinking until hitting rock bottom
Busy man has blown his fuse
A hardworking person has lost control
While crossword people look for clues
Others are busy looking for answers in their own ways
I say sir, get your nose out of the paper
Stop being distracted by meaningless things
Take a good look at what's going down
Observe what is happening around you
Get clued into the shape of
Understand the direction of
The shape of things to come
Future events that may happen
Have you seen the writing on the wall?
Have you noticed what's coming?
Reaching out for you it calls
Trying to get your attention
Did you look for your cause?
Have you searched for purpose or reason?
Writing on the wall?
Signs of impending change?
Life, I'm told's a compromise
Life is about making sacrifices
Lethargy in disguise
Laziness masquerading as something else
Excuses by the faint of heart
Cowardly people making excuses
Stuck in the mud before they start
Unable to progress due to fear or lack of motivation
Wouldn't you rather be on top of the world
Wouldn't you prefer to be successful and happy?
As opposed to always travelling underneath the ground?
Instead of always being down and defeated?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HAZEL THEREASA O'CONNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind