Dance Me to the End of Love
Madeleine Peyroux Lyrics


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Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove

Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of

Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We're both of us beneath our love, we're both of us above

Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn

Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove

Dance me to the end of love




Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Madeleine Peyroux's song "Dance Me To The End Of Love" speak of the power of dance as a metaphor for the journey of love. Employing vivid imagery, the song's central message is about the transcendence and permanence of love, even in the face of our own mortality.


The opening lines of the song, "Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin/Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in" immediately establishes the metaphor of dancing as the journey of love. The "burning violin" symbolizes both the passion and pain that love can inspire. The line "Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in" speaks to the idea of a partner providing shelter in times of distress. The second verse, "Let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone/Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon/Show me slowly what I only know the limits of" reinforces the idea of the power of love when it's just two people, as well as the intimacy that comes with this kind of closeness. This is reinforced in the third verse "Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on/Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long/We're both of us beneath our love, we're both of us above" where the lyrics highlight the space created in this journey and the transcendent love that exists. The final two verses "Dance me to the children who are asking to be born/Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn/Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn/Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove" advocates for the continuation of this journey of love, from the past through future generations.



Line by Line Meaning

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Lead me with your beautiful music, as if your violin is on fire


Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Guide me through my fears until I feel safe in your embrace


Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Raise me up like a symbol of peace and be my guiding force back home


Let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Allow me to witness your true beauty without any distractions or witnesses around


Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Let me feel your rhythm and movements like the people in the ancient city of Babylon


Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Teach me slowly what I have only learned the limitations of


Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Take me to the wedding and keep dancing with me endlessly


Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
Dance with me gently and for a long time


We're both of us beneath our love, we're both of us above
We are both under the influence of love, as well as outside of it


Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Lead me to the future generation, who are eagerly waiting to be brought into this world


Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Take me beyond the curtains where our passionate kisses have left their mark


Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Create a shelter for us, even if it is torn and imperfect


Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
Touch me with your bare hand or gloved hand, it doesn't matter as long as it's your touch


Dance me to the end of love
Dance with me until the very end of our love and beyond


Dance me to the end of love
Dance with me until the end of our love and beyond


Dance me to the end of love
Dance with me until the end of our love and beyond




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@lavoxii

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We're both of us beneath our love, we're both of us above
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand, touch me with your glove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love



All comments from YouTube:

@SniffMyDeadwax

My wife died last week and I happened to put on Jazz FM today and this was the first song that came up and it just seems so relevant thank you so much... Denise 'Neesy' Scholfield 6/10/1968 7/10/2020 day after her 52nd birrthday...We held hands tight to the very last. I miss you every day my darling.

Just to say I'm still here, third year, I'm making it and thanks to all you lovely people for the positive vibes I got from you, I alway return to This post and this song .thanks again Madeline and Juliana for posting it ..gotta go befor the waterworks start again 😂 ❤❤❤❤❤

@elisavieira737

😘

@ResonanceInDigital

Hope you're doing okay man

@dornravlin

Hey I want to say sorry for your loss wish no doubt hurts for how recent it is. I was orphaned at 12 so I know what it is to loos the people you love I cant imagine what your going through. My father introduced me to Madeleine peyrroux so i listen to her from time to time. You dont know me so it must seem strange my witting like this. Im sending a good thought your way take care

@hectorhernandez1983

Good luck and be well.

@moyragrant7287

I just came across this song and your comment, and wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I do hope that this song gave you some small solace.

41 More Replies...

@petroskozani2087

Her quality is a small miracle in the nightmarish world we live in and a gift to those of us who still dare to hope... People, sometimes we just have to be thankful... Thank you sweet Madeleine!

@anjou6497

Yes ! She has given me endless comfort. 🌱🧡🌿🎹🎸

@samraia3200

I love the original, but the music here is impeccable. Simply beautiful.

@charmainerobinson7214

I heard this for the first time this morning and thought it was Billie Holiday, the voice is so similar on some of the lyrics! her voice, tone and emphasis on the words. Amazing. Very enjoyable to listen to .

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