Falling Free
Madonna Lyrics

When I move a certain way
Madonna is explaining how certain movements cause her to experience pain and discomfort.

I feel an ache I’d kept at bay
She reveals that she had been avoiding her pain before and is now feeling its effects.

A hairline break that’s taking hold
Madonna uses a metaphor to describe the extent of her emotional turmoil as something that is small but gradually worsening.

A metal that I thought was gold
She compares something she thought was precious to something that is actually causing her harm.

And pure so sure I’d struck a vein
She believed that what she had was true and valuable.

I wanted you to feel the same
She desired for another person to experience the same emotions she had.

So when you did ignite a spark
When that other person showed signs of reciprocating her feelings, it created a flame within her.

Rescue me from all this dark
She hopes that this other person can help her overcome her pain and negative emotions.

See our hearts are intertwined
Madonna realizes that her feelings are being reciprocated and that they share a deep emotional connection.

Then I’m free, free of mine
Being intertwined with another person's heart helps her to forget about her own pain and troubles.

When I raise a certain wing
Madonna refers to herself as a bird, and this line means that when she attempts to fly, she experiences pain.

And crawl beneath that growing thing
This line is a metaphor for something distressing that has been part of her life for some time.

It throws a shadow over time
That distressing thing negatively affects her perception of time.

And keeps yours falling next to mine
Her emotional struggles are causing her to drag others down with her.

Your days were meant to fly and do
The other person was meant for great things.

I fall and fold mine into you
Madonna feels inadequate compared to the other person, and she tries to envelop herself in him or her.

And what you take is just enough
The other person only takes what he or she needs to help and support Madonna.

And what you give is what I love
Madonna is grateful for the support the other person gives her.

And when you lift you raise the sail
The other person helps Madonna overcome her struggles when he or she is there for her.

And then I’m free, free to fail
With the support of the other person, Madonna doesn't have to worry about the consequences of potentially failing because she feels as though she can try and be safe in the knowledge she has a support network.

When I lose a certain claim
Madonna seems to let go of something she wanted or expected.

That tries to know and needs to blame
This line is referring to the tendency to try and place blame in order to understand a difficult situation.

Whatever river runs aground
This could be interpreted as an event - something that has caused great damage to Madonna's life and emotions.

It turns my head and washes down
The impact of the event is so great that Madonna begins to feel overwhelmed with emotion.

The face of God that stands above
A metaphor for God looking down on her and offering peace and love.

Pouring over Hope and Love
The idea that God's grace and love is flooding out to all those who need it in the world.

That all of might, and life, and limb
God can offer strength, love, and comfort to those struggling or in pain.

Could turn around and love again
The idea that despite difficult times, there is still capacity for love and joy in life.

When I let loose the need to know
Madonna realizes she doesn't necessarily need to understand every little thing in her life.

Then we’re both free, free to go
Freedom comes when neither Madonna nor the other person feel weighed down by their emotional baggage.

I’m falling free
Maddona is experiencing true emotional freedom.

Deep and pure our hearts align
The two share a deep and positive emotional connection.

I let loose the need to know
The realization that not knowing everything is okay and doesn't need to control your life.

Then we’re both free, we’re free to go
True emotional liberation has been achieved.