Wish You Were Here
Kirsti Huke Lyrics


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So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skys from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
And did they get you to trade
Your heros for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?




The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kirsti Huke's song "Wish You Were Here" are filled with symbolism and metaphors, which allude to the idea of a lost and confused soul seeking solace in the companionship of another.


The song opens with a rhetorical question, "So, so you think you can tell heaven from hell, blue skies from pain?" These lines suggest the uncertainty and confusion that the singer is feeling. The next line "Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?" could imply a contrast between nature and man-made structures or between freedom and confinement. Furthermore, the lines "A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell?" could suggest the singer's difficulty in discerning authenticity.


The second verse of the song alludes to the idea of trading heroes for ghosts, which could imply the singer's sense of disillusionment with the world around them. The lines "Cold comfort for change? And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?" suggest a feeling of being trapped or confined, perhaps even being captivated by the very role one chose to play.


The chorus featuring the lines "How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl, year after year, running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here." portrays a sense of helplessness and a longing for a deeper connection with someone who is like-minded.


Line by Line Meaning

So, so you think you can tell
Do you believe that you have enough insight or discernment?


Heaven from Hell,
Can you differentiate between happiness and suffering?


Blue skys from pain.
Can you distinguish between clear skies and troubled times?


Can you tell a green field
Are you able to recognize a peaceful, natural setting?


From a cold steel rail?
Or are you only familiar with cold, man-made structures?


A smile from a veil?
Can you tell a genuine smile apart from a mask of deception?


Do you think you can tell?
Do you believe you have the ability to discern these things?


And did they get you to trade
Did they manipulate you into exchanging something of value?


Your heros for ghosts?
Did you give up strong role models for fleeting ones that disappeared?


Hot ashes for trees?
Did you trade something warm and comforting for something natural and rooted?


Hot air for a cool breeze?
Did you exchange something empty for something refreshing?


Cold comfort for change?
Did you get trapped in a cycle of change that offers little relief?


And did you exchange
Did you give up


A walk on part in the war
An insignificant, temporary role in a conflict


For a lead role in a cage?
For a prominent role, but with limitations and confinement?


How I wish, how I wish you were here.
I strongly desire your presence and miss you greatly.


We're just two lost souls
We are aimless wanderers, without direction or purpose.


Swimming in a fish bowl,
Living in a confined space, with constant observation.


Year after year,
Continuing on, seemingly without end.


Running over the same old ground.
We keep repeating the same mistakes and actions.


What have we found?
Despite our searching, what have we truly discovered or gained?


The same old fears.
We continue to be plagued by the same anxieties and concerns.


Wish you were here.
I deeply wish you were present to share in my experiences and provide comfort.




Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

H A

After so many years it's first time l like one cover song ... goooood bloody job

Bálint Székely

how the bass walks alog with the piano is something I enjoy that much - not hearing the lyrics :) thanks!

Susana Vargas

lovely!

Bálint Székely

I mean the meaning of the lyrics. Fantastic voice, great recording.

Tantiyo

I love it. Its better than Pink Floyd anyway

MAVERICK GALLARDO

Guaoooo. Saludos desde México DF

Timmy lee

Lovely.!

Mikhail Zvyozdochkin

Nice cover.

Снежа Косач

very pathetic ! Greetings from Kyiv)by Snezana)

Xavier Champagne

Une cover particulière mais pas inintéressante 😏