Glimmer
Maccabees Lyrics


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With it all before you how could it ever go wrong
When water mirrors for you and all that you look on
Just a glimmer from the way beyond
But you're lost today

In each and every tide things are lost
Things we must not lose sight of
No matter if you're tired
Why suppose oracles can let you know

With it all before you
How could it ever go wrong
When water mirrors for you and all that you look on
Just a glimmer from the way beyond
But you're lost today

Between you weigh the cost against damage of
And shore it up against the flood
She's the whitest of your wave through it all

But you're lost today

With it all here for you
How could it ever go wrong
Couldn't bear to carry couldn't lay upon




Saw a glimmer from the way beyond where we
Helped today

Overall Meaning

The song "Glimmer" by The Maccabees is a reflective piece with a melancholic tone. The opening lines ponder how something could go wrong when everything seems to be so perfect. The imagery used is of water mirrors, suggesting a sense of calm and reflection. The following line "just a glimmer from the way beyond" could be a reference to hope, a small light in the distance, but the singer is still "lost today".


The second verse emphasizes the importance of not losing sight of things, even if one is tired. The idea of oracles being able to tell the future is brought up, but is dismissed as unreliable. The chorus is repeated, with the added line "saw a glimmer from the way beyond where we helped today". This suggests that even in the midst of feeling lost, the singer is able to find some sense of purpose in helping others.


One could interpret this song as being about feeling lost, even in the midst of seemingly perfect circumstances. The water mirrors and the glimmer from the way beyond could represent the illusion of perfection and hope, but in reality, the singer is struggling. The final line adds a note of hope, suggesting that helping others can provide a sense of purpose and direction.


Line by Line Meaning

With it all before you how could it ever go wrong
With everything laid out in front of you, how could anything possibly go wrong?


When water mirrors for you and all that you look on
When the water reflects everything you see, making it seem like the world is in perfect alignment.


Just a glimmer from the way beyond
Only a small piece of something beyond our understanding.


But you're lost today
But today you're overwhelmed and unable to find your way.


In each and every tide things are lost
In every moment, some things slip away and get lost in the ebb and flow of life.


Things we must not lose sight of
There are certain things we must hold onto and not forget, no matter what.


No matter if you're tired
Even if you're exhausted and worn out.


Why suppose oracles can let you know
Why rely on predictions from oracles when you can't truly know what the future holds?


Between you weigh the cost against damage of
You must consider the consequences and potential harm of your decisions and actions.


And shore it up against the flood
You need to fortify yourself and prepare for potential challenges or obstacles that may arise.


She's the whitest of your wave through it all
She (presumably someone important or significant) is the brightest and most constant presence in your life, guiding you through everything.


With it all here for you
With everything available to you.


Couldn't bear to carry couldn't lay upon
You couldn't handle the weight or responsibility of something.


Saw a glimmer from the way beyond where we
Caught a glimpse of something beyond our current understanding or perspective.


Helped today
Provided assistance or support for someone on this particular day.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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