The Night
James R. Wolf Lyrics
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All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Saviour is born
Christ the Saviour is born
Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth
The Night by James R. Wolf is a deeply contemplative song that explores themes of loneliness and introspection. The first verse paints a vivid picture of isolation, with a person lying alone on a mat and listening to the distant sound of traffic on the highway. The line "something familiar" suggests that this person is accustomed to being alone, perhaps to the point where solitude has become a comforting presence.
The second half of the first verse introduces a contrasting image of the seasons "hiding in our stomachs". This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the emotions that we keep buried deep within us, waiting for the right moment to burst forth in all their intensity. The howling that follows could be seen as a release of these pent-up emotions, like a sudden gust of wind sweeping across the landscape.
The second verse continues this exploration of inner turmoil and loneliness, with the repeated phrase "dropped from the great height" suggesting a sense of falling or disorientation. The constant blue and the same ghost every night add to the feeling of stagnation and repetition that can come with long-term isolation. The final lines of the song, with their repeated refrain of "I go walking / Just to find / My own breath", suggest that even in the midst of such emptiness, there is still a desire to connect with something greater and more meaningful.
Overall, The Night is a haunting and evocative song that captures the feeling of being lost in one's own thoughts and emotions. It encourages reflection and introspection, and reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always the possibility of finding meaning and connection in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're on your own
When you find yourself alone
Spread out on the mat
Lying down with arms and legs extended
Dead
Feeling lifeless and without energy
The highway's endless drone
The incessant sound of traffic on the road
Something familiar
Something that is recognized or well-known
And how we love the seasons that hide in our stomachs
The feeling of excitement or anticipation that is felt within
That howl and howl and howl as if
The emotions that are so strong that they seem to never end
Dropped from the great height
Thrown or let go from a very high place
And I thought the hours that lie in the kitchen
The time spent in the kitchen doing mundane tasks
They drag him, drag him, drag into black night
Being pulled unwillingly into darkness
It was strange
A feeling of unusual or unexpected circumstances
Constant blue
A persistent feeling of sadness or melancholy
And the same ghost every night
A recurring memory or thought that haunts one's mind
I go walking
Taking a stroll
Just to find
In search of
My own breath my own breath through the path
Focusing on one's own breathing while walking
We are raised up very high
Elevated to a position of importance or influence
My own breath
The act of breathing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Cixqo, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Anthem Entertainment, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Rossio Music Publishing
Written by: Chuck Howard, Franz Gruber, John Berry, Joseph Mohr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind