The Shining
James (1) Lyrics


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I hold a vision that all visions are impure
The rising of the serpent the apple and the fall.
Don't trust the angels .may be devils in disguise
Don't trust the preacher. all his words don't make him wise
There are no promises that anyone can keep
The future's full of secrets
The past can never keep
Yes I know, I'm falling down
This incline is far too steep
Tell when I hit the ground
You're too high for me to reach

We can weather unchartered oceans
Though the map reads," lost at sea "
When we breakthrough or get broken
Will you stand here close to me
Close to me

You are the universe and god knows I'm the fool
I've journeyed round the outer worlds to return home to you
I've found a lover knows me better than myself
Sees through all my subtle lies and touches me to health

We can weather unchartered oceans
Though the map reads lost at sea
When we breakthrough or get broken
Will you stand here close to me
Close to me

Here come the choices
It's consume or be consumed




Jump if you feel crazy
And jump if you're a fool

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James (1)'s song "The Shining" are filled with a sense of skepticism and cynicism towards authority, the unknown and the future. The opening lines "I hold a vision that all visions are impure/ The rising of the serpent the apple and the fall." suggest that the singer has seen through the illusions of idealism and realizes the imperfection and fallibility of all things that promise hope or redemption. The warning not to trust angels, and the suggestion that preachers' words do not make them wise is a criticism of religious authority and its inability to hold all the answers. The lines "There are no promises that anyone can keep/ The future's full of secrets/ The past can never keep" further illustrate the impermanence and unreliability of both past and future events.


The chorus provides a sense of hope and companionship despite the uncertainty that may lie ahead. The lyrics "We can weather unchartered oceans/ Though the map reads,' lost at sea'/ When we breakthrough or get broken/ Will you stand here close to me" suggest that the singer seeks comfort in companionship despite the unknown, and that no matter the outcome, they hope that their partner will be close by.


Line by Line Meaning

I hold a vision that all visions are impure
I believe that all visions are corrupted and imperfect


The rising of the serpent the apple and the fall.
The story of the serpent tempting Eve with the apple and the resulting fall from grace


Don't trust the angels .may be devils in disguise
Angels may not be trustworthy since they could be disguised devils


Don't trust the preacher. all his words don't make him wise
The preacher may not be wise despite his words


There are no promises that anyone can keep
Promises are not absolute since anyone can break them


The future's full of secrets
The future is mysterious and uncertain


The past can never keep
The past cannot be held or contained


Yes I know, I'm falling down
I am aware that I am failing


This incline is far too steep
The climb is too difficult to overcome


Tell when I hit the ground
Let me know when I have hit the bottom


You're too high for me to reach
You are unattainable for me


We can weather unchartered oceans
We can overcome uncharted territory


Though the map reads," lost at sea "
Even though we are lost and directionless


When we breakthrough or get broken
When we succeed or fail


Will you stand here close to me
Will you be here beside me


You are the universe and god knows I'm the fool
You are everything and I am nothing compared to you


I've journeyed round the outer worlds to return home to you
I have gone on a journey to find my way back to you


I've found a lover knows me better than myself
I have found a partner who understands me better than I do


Sees through all my subtle lies and touches me to health
They recognize and help me overcome my faults


Here come the choices
We are faced with decisions


It's consume or be consumed
We must either take or be taken from by others


Jump if you feel crazy
Take risks even if it seems irrational


And jump if you're a fool
Take risks even if it seems foolish




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOHN BAYNTON-POWER, JAMES GLENNIE, MARK HUNTER, SAUL DAVIES, TIMOTHY BOOTH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Steve Lutwyche

Love this song, the whole album in fact, much under-rated

jsimiles

When my wife and I were married, this was the first song we danced to.

antony sloan

He should of won the Ivor Novello award for songwriting all his songs are poetry god bless you for bringing so much pleasure to the people

Stuart Bleazard

They..

nicola dalle mura

Canzone meravigliosa, testo sublime

BILL MARK

αυτο εδω το αγαπαω πολυ

Jesus Maldonado

ufff....

Rui Teixeira

One More...

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