Light of the Past
Madvillain Lyrics


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Today is the shadow of tomorrow
Today is the present future of yesterday
Yesterday is the shadow of today
The darkness of the past is yesterday
And the light of the past is yesterday
The days of yesterday are all numbered in sum
In the world once
Because once upon a time there was a yesterday
Yesterday belongs to the dead
Because the dead belongs to the past
The past is yesterday
Today is the preview of tomorrow but for me
Only for my better and happier point of view
My point of view is the thought of a better or try
Reality is today of eternity
The eternity of yesterday is dead
Yesterday is as one
The eternity of one is the eternity of the past
The past is once upon a time
Once upon a time is past
The past is yesterday today
The past is yesterday today
While we're searchin for tomorrow

The light of the past is the light which was
The wisdom of the past is the light of the past
The light of the future is the light which is to be
The wisdom of the future is the light of the future see
Yesterday belongs to the dead
Tomorrow belongs to the living
The past is certified as a finished product
Anything which has ended is finished
That which is perfect is finished
The perfect man is no exception to the rule
The perfect man of the past is made according to the rule of the past
The rule of the past is a law of injustice and hypocrisy
The revelation of the meaning of the law is revealed through the law itself
The wisdom of the past is the light of the past
The light which is to be the wisdom of the future
The light of the future casts the shadows of tomorrow
Sun Ra
Sun Ra




Lord Quas
Madlib

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Shadows of Tomorrow" by Madvillain are a reflection on the nature of time and its relationship with the past, present, and future. The song begins by stating that today is the shadow of tomorrow and the present future of yesterday. This means that what we experience today is a reflection of both what has happened in the past and what will happen in the future. Yesterday, or the past, is described as the darkness of the past, while the light of the past is also acknowledged. However, yesterday is also noted as belonging to the dead and being a thing of the past.


The second verse reveals that the light of the past is the light which was and the wisdom of the past is the light of the past. The light of the future is the light which is to be and the wisdom of the future is the light of the future to see. Here, the lyrics acknowledge the idea that we can learn from the past to inform our future actions. The song concludes with the assertion that the past is a finished product and that the perfect man is no exception to the rule. The rule of the past is a law of injustice and hypocrisy, and the wisdom of the past is the light of the past.


Overall, the lyrics of "Shadows of Tomorrow" suggest that the past, present, and future are all interconnected and play a part in shaping our experiences. The song acknowledges the value of looking to the past to learn for the future, but also recognizes the limitations and injustices of past laws and beliefs.


Line by Line Meaning

Today is the shadow of tomorrow
The present day holds the potential for the coming future.


Today is the present future of yesterday
The actions taken today shape the future, and define yesterday's present.


Yesterday is the shadow of today
The events of the past inform and shape the present day.


The darkness of the past is yesterday
The negative and traumatic events of the past are encapsulated in yesterday.


And the light of the past is yesterday
The positive and enlightening events of the past are encapsulated in yesterday.


The days of yesterday are all numbered in sum
The finite number of past days are quantified and limited in number.


In the world once
In the past world that has since passed away.


Because once upon a time there was a yesterday
In the past, there was a time encapsulated in yesterday.


Yesterday belongs to the dead
The past is no longer alive, and belongs to the deceased.


Because the dead belongs to the past
The deceased are part of the past and cannot be part of the present or future.


The past is yesterday
The past is encapsulated in yesterday.


Today is the preview of tomorrow but for me
For the artist, the present holds the promise and potential for a better tomorrow.


Only for my better and happier point of view
The singer's positive outlook shapes their perception of the present and future.


My point of view is the thought of a better or try
The singer's perspective is defined by their desire to improve and succeed.


Reality is today of eternity
The present reality is an eternal moment and holds significance for eternity.


The eternity of yesterday is dead
The past is no longer an eternal moment and is encapsulated in yesterday.


Yesterday is as one
The past is a singular moment, encapsulated in yesterday.


The eternity of one is the eternity of the past
The one moment of the past is encapsulated in yesterday and is no longer eternal.


The past is once upon a time
The past is encapsulated in a moment that has since passed.


Once upon a time is past
The moment encapsulated in the phrase 'once upon a time' has since passed and is in the past.


The past is yesterday today
The past is encapsulated in both the distant and recent past, or encapsulated in yesterday.


While we're searchin for tomorrow
Even as we focus on the present, we are constantly searching for what is to come.


The light of the past is the light which was
The positive and enlightening aspects of the past exist as memories of what has already occurred.


The wisdom of the past is the light of the past
The knowledge and experience of the past is encapsulated in the positive memories and enlightenment of the past.


The light of the future is the light which is to be
The positive and enlightening aspects of the future are yet to be experienced or discovered.


The wisdom of the future is the light of the future see
The positive knowledge and experience of the future has yet to be discovered or earned.


Tomorrow belongs to the living
The future holds promise for the living, and its fate lies in their hands.


The past is certified as a finished product
The past is encapsulated in events that have already occurred and cannot be changed.


Anything which has ended is finished
Any event which has concluded is finalized and cannot be altered.


That which is perfect is finished
The culmination of anything perfect concludes that journey, rendering it finished.


The perfect man is no exception to the rule
Even a person who seems perfect is subject to the finality of time and events that cannot be changed.


The perfect man of the past is made according to the rule of the past
The societal and moral codes of the past shaped the perfect man of the past.


The rule of the past is a law of injustice and hypocrisy
The social mores and laws of the past were often unfair or contradictory.


The revelation of the meaning of the law is revealed through the law itself
The interpretation and understanding of a law is found in the context and text of that law.


The light which is to be the wisdom of the future
The positive experience of the future will become the knowledge and wisdom of those who experience it.


The light of the future casts the shadows of tomorrow
The potential and promise of the future also hold the uncertainty and fear of the unknown that shadows all tomorrows.


Sun Ra
A reference to Sun Ra, an American composer and bandleader known for his experimental music and philosophy.


Lord Quas
A reference to Lord Quas, the animated alter ego of hip-hop artist Madlib.


Madlib
A reference to Madlib, an American DJ, rapper, and producer known for his unique take on hip-hop music.




Contributed by Hudson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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