Sundial
Intronaut Lyrics


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Night turns into day
Shadows shrink away
Under noon's harsh light
The promises of night seem empty
The soft underside
Of life surrenders to the knife
Day turns
Into night
Shadows grow longer
Dark's beckoning




Grows stronger
Mystery recedes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Intronaut's song Sundial deal with the passage of time and the changes it brings in our lives. The first two lines describe the transition from night to day, painting a picture of the shadows retreating and the world becoming brighter as the sun rises. However, this transition also brings a realization that the promises of the night - perhaps of rest, peace or comfort - seem empty in the harsh light of day. The following lines suggest that this shift in perspective also involves a certain harshness or cutting truth, as the "soft underside of life" surrenders to the knife. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for facing the difficult or unpleasant aspects of life that one may have been able to ignore in darkness.


The chorus flips the perspective, describing the turn from day to night and the growing power of darkness as shadows lengthen and mysteriously beckon. The phrase "mystery recedes" could be seen as acknowledging that as one part of life becomes clearer or more tangible, another becomes murkier or unknown. This theme of change and duality is underscored by the title itself - a sundial is a physical representation of the passage of time, but it also suggests the circular nature of life and the constant movement from light to dark.


Overall, the lyrics of Sundial offer a contemplative and somewhat melancholic view of the way time affects us - uncovering truths, bringing new perspectives, but also casting us into shadow and uncertainty.


Line by Line Meaning

Night turns into day
The passage of time from the darkness of night to the brightness of day, signifying the start of a new day


Shadows shrink away
As the sun rises, the darkness and shadows of the night disappear, giving way to the light of day


Under noon's harsh light
The intense light of the sun during the middle of the day, which can be overwhelming or unforgiving


The promises of night seem empty
After experiencing the allure and mystery of the night, the reality of day can make those promises seem unfulfilled or hollow


The soft underside
The vulnerable or fragile aspects of life or existence that are hidden or protected


Of life surrenders to the knife
Those vulnerable or fragile aspects of life are exposed to danger or violence


Day turns
The cycle of time continues, with day transitioning into night once again


Into night
The end of the day and the beginning of another night


Shadows grow longer
As the sun sets, darkness and shadows begin to lengthen and dominate the landscape


Dark's beckoning
The call or attraction of darkness, often accompanied by fear or uncertainty


Grows stronger
As the night progresses, the power and influence of darkness becomes more intense


Mystery recedes
As the darkness takes over and spreads, the sense of mystery or the unknown becomes less prevalent




Contributed by Jayce T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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