The Coming Dawn
Kansas Lyrics


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As the dew turns into frost
There is something that I hope will
Not be lost
The leaves will change, they'll start
To fall
I still wonder if it mattered much at
All
When my world starts to fade
I can only hope that every choice I
Made
Will endure, and carry on ... into the
Coming dawn

The breezes blow, soft clouds drift
By
Like some artists' canvas captured in
My eye
I am sure, I'm holding fast
I am dying for a lifetime that will last
But when my world, starts to fade
I'm still hoping this foundation that I
Laid
Will endure, and carry on ... into the
Coming dawn
We're so close, yet never touch
Can there be a love that changes me
This much
I can't see, eyes open wide
Yet I'll never doubt you're standing
By my side
When my world, starts to fade
I can only hope that every choice I
Made




Will endure, and carry on ... into the
Coming dawn

Overall Meaning

"The Coming of Dawn" by Kansas is a song about the passage of time and the hope of leaving a lasting legacy that endures even after death. The song touches on the idea that life is fleeting, but while we are still alive, it’s important to make choices that will endure and carry on through to the next generation. The beginning of the song speaks of the changing of the seasons and the passing of time. The metaphor of dew turning into frost is used to signify the change that is happening. There is also a sense of anxiety, as the singer wonders if their life has mattered much at all.


The chorus of the song is where the theme is most clearly expressed: the singer hopes that the choices they have made in life will carry on into the coming dawn. They want to be remembered for the foundation they have laid, for the life they have lived. The second verse of the song continues the theme of hope, as the singer marvels at the beauty of the world around them. There is a sense of wanting to hold on to this beauty forever, but an acknowledgement that life is fleeting. The third verse touches on the idea of love and companionship, and ends with the same hope expressed in the chorus.


Overall, "The Coming of Dawn" is a contemplative and introspective song that speaks to the human desire for immortality and the hope that we can leave something lasting behind.


Line by Line Meaning

As the dew turns into frost
The changing of dew into frost alludes to some kind of transformation, and perhaps the singer hopes that something meaningful doesn't get lost during this transformation.


There is something that I hope will / Not be lost
The singer expresses a desire for the preservation of something important during some kind of transition, though it's not clear what specifically they hope will endure.


The leaves will change, they'll start / To fall
This line refers to the changing of seasons, and suggests that there are some things about life that are inextricable from the passage of time.


I still wonder if it mattered much at / All
Despite the inevitability of change, the singer wonders whether certain things they've experienced in life have been worth anything at all.


When my world starts to fade / I can only hope that every choice I / Made / Will endure, and carry on ... into the / Coming dawn
Even as things change and the singer experiences some kind of fading, they express a hope that the choices they've made in life will persist and carry them through into a new day.


The breezes blow, soft clouds drift / By / Like some artists' canvas captured in / My eye
This line creates a sense of peaceful beauty, as the natural world is described in stunning visual detail.


I am sure, I'm holding fast / I am dying for a lifetime that will last
Despite a sense of fading and change, the singer remains certain and determined, wishing for a long life full of meaningful experiences.


We're so close, yet never touch / Can there be a love that changes me / This much
The lyrics describe an abstract yearning for a love that profoundly transforms the singer without ever actually coming into contact with them.


I can't see, eyes open wide / Yet I'll never doubt you're standing / By my side
Despite the singer's inability to actually see the one they're referring to, they remain convinced of their unwavering presence and support.


When my world, starts to fade / I can only hope that every choice I / Made / Will endure, and carry on ... into the / Coming dawn
The song circles back to the idea of fading and changing once again, with the same express hope that the singer's choices will carry them through into some kind of new beginning.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Alvy Singer

As the dew turns into frost
There is something that I hope will not be lost
The leaves will change, they'll start to fall
I still wonder if it matter much at all

When my world starts to fade
I can only hope that every choice I made
Will endure, and carry on ... into the coming dawn

The breezes blow, soft clouds drift by
Like some artists' canvas captured in my eye
I am sure, I'm holding fast
I am dying for a lifetime that will last
But when my world, starts to fade
I'm still hoping this foundation that I laid
Will endure, and carry on ... into the coming dawn
We're so close, yet never touch
Can there be a love that changes me this much
I can't see, eyes open wide
Yet I'll never doubt you're standing by my side
When my world, starts to fade
I can only hope that every choice I made
Will endure, and carry on .. into the coming dawn



All comments from YouTube:

John Hagle

I have been a Kansas fan for over 40 years and this is just one example of how their music is the best in the world! They inspire, uplift, and give life purpose!

Roy Douglas

A Perfect song from one of the greatest lyricist around!! We owe God a debt of gratitude for giving us Kerry Livgren!!

tim Braman

Or Steve Walsh to vocalize it?

Roy Douglas

So true man!! Kerry and Steve were the heart of Kansas!

Roy Douglas

tim Braman  Steve was the best man!!

MrCamelneck

We can't forget Robby Steinhard either. Without Robby's violin Kansas would have probably never made it. Although Steve was a better singer, Robby was a great singer and some of Kansas' best moments were when Robby and Steve would switch lead vocals.

KellyDeanBishopatgmaildotcom

One of the toughest questions; perhaps one of the best questions I personally say... I know two of Steve's ex-wife's cousins , and, well; yeah, thank God for Steve, but Steve was... how to say... "Kerry's mouthpiece" (Kerry rarely sang). Rather than for me not to say anything at all for me not knowing to say this right or speak for one another, but I'll say this anyway, "we all kinda scratch our heads about Steve; if he "knows for himself". You might recall that Steve walked out of the recording of "Audio Visions"; or was it "Vinyl Confessions"? When he walked out of whichever of these Kansas turned to being Christian music, Steve walked out of the recording session and said, "I'm not singing anymore of this #&*/*" anymore, but yet he later sang "How Can You Live" on another "Kerry album" and Kerry & Steve played on "Somewhere To Elsewhere". I don't really get much on Steve from his cousins, Kerry or Vicci as of late, but I do think that it's encouraging that Steve would ask Jerome Mazza to sing on Steve's latest album and that Steve would put songs like Jerome's "Mercy On Me" and "Now Until Forever". Here's the latest "Walsh - Livgren" interview that I know of... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcxxSz4cZ4I

1 More Replies...

Deely Stan

So rare that a band reforms and puts forth a blinding album. I can think of only this and Black Sabbath's latest release. Truly majestic. Long live Kansas.

tim Braman

I can't think of any classic rock band that put out something deserving of their catalogue in this later period. Kansas wins.... Period!

Robert Kiraly

This is one of my favourite Kansas songs. Wonderfully beautiful melody!

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