Hey Marseilles is a musical group from Seattle, WA, that formed in the summ… Read Full Bio ↴Hey Marseilles is a musical group from Seattle, WA, that formed in the summer of 2006 after Nick and Philip forced Matt Bishop to write a song to an accordion riff and play it live for a work party downtown. The current lineup consists of seven members performing on guitars, cello, viola, accordion, piano, bass, glockenspiel, ukulele, mandolin, drums, and a plethora of rhythmic accessories. The music can be described as indie-folk, and has been compared to that of The Decemberists, Devotchka, and Bright Eyes.

The band released their first full-length self-produced album, "To Travels & Trunks" in December 2008.

Café Lights
Hey Marseilles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hold your map upright so the clouds and coast align
They’ve got old wars won, a bright brown sun, the crowds to sing alright
The lion’s share can rest as we sit in café lights
In a neighborhood where all that should may or may not be right

Make your way back home again. I am here still
These sideway streets are straight and true by strain and will
Make your way back home again at a slow pace

Promise me from sound to sea you’re mine always

Untimely make your way to the tarmac baggage claim
It’s all for naught if we forgot. I hope our hope’s the same
Sing praise to stars aligned. Rejoice that love is blind
To the end of days we’ll have to say you are the best I’ll find

I am leaving harbor if you cannot remember
Take me where you’re going in the light shade of December

The plains I see are floating. The grains I see are growing
Take me to the only place I see you’re going

Overall Meaning

The song "Café Lights" by Hey Marseilles is a beautiful and introspective piece that delves into themes of memory, love, and the passage of time. The first verse urges the listener to look at their map and align themselves with the beauty of the world around them while acknowledging the past battles and victories. The lyrics suggest that while the world may be imperfect, one can still find comfort in the present moment, represented by the "café lights" of the neighborhood. The second verse seems to address a lost lover, and the singer pleads with them to slow down and make their way back home, promising to always be there for them. The third verse is a reflection on the shared hope and love that brings people together, as the singer expresses their faith in the stars aligning to bring them back to the one they love. The final verse portrays the singer leaving the harbor, and again asking to be taken to the same place as their beloved. The song paints a vivid picture of yearning and the desire for connection, and the struggles that come with it.

Line by Line Meaning

Hold your map upright so the clouds and coast align
Hold on to your ideas and beliefs, align them with the reality you see in front of you

They’ve got old wars won, a bright brown sun, the crowds to sing alright
This place has its own rich history and culture, it has its own problems but it also has its own beauty

The lion’s share can rest as we sit in café lights
The majority of people can relax and enjoy life, while we take a moment to appreciate the simple pleasures like sitting in the warm cafe lights

In a neighbourhood where all that should may or may not be right
In this neighbourhood, things may seem perfect or they may not, but it's important to appreciate it for what it is

Make your way back home again. I am here still
Take your time coming back to me, I'll be waiting patiently

These sideway streets are straight and true by strain and will
Even though these streets may be winding and tough, we'll keep forging ahead with determination

Make your way back home again at a slow pace
Don't rush back, take your time to come back to me in your own time

Promise me from sound to sea you’re mine always
Promise me that you'll stay with me no matter what, from the sounds of the city to the vastness of the sea

Untimely make your way to the tarmac baggage claim
Unexpectedly, make your way towards the baggage claim on the tarmac

It’s all for naught if we forgot. I hope our hope’s the same
It's all for nothing if we forget each other, I hope we share the same hope for the future

Sing praise to stars aligned. Rejoice that love is blind
Be thankful for the moments where everything seems to be perfectly in place, and celebrate the fact that love knows no boundaries

To the end of days we’ll have to say you are the best I’ll find
Until the end of time, I know that you're the best I'll ever find

I am leaving harbor if you cannot remember
I'm leaving this safe space if you can't recall where we've been

Take me where you’re going in the light shade of December
Take me with you to wherever you're headed, even if it's during the quiet month of December

The plains I see are floating. The grains I see are growing
The vast landscapes I see seem to be hovering, but they're actually growing and changing right in front of me

Take me to the only place I see you’re going
Take me with you to the one place I see you headed, because that's where I want to be

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MATT AARON BISHOP, NICHOLAS AUGUSTE WARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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