On a Storyteller's Night
Magnum Lyrics


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There's a stormlamp on the table
Throwing shadows to the gable
And you swallow if your able
On a storyteller's night

From the poorhouse chimes indifferent
Seven towers seven sisters
Every blackheart walks the distance
On a storyteller's night

Try to sleep on your pillow and dream
Sleep in God's children to keep
Though we all lose track of time
Disappears like faded lines

Keep your night light burning
I'll come through the wind and rain
Keep your night light burning
I'll be with you once again

There's a chill wind at your back door
And the fire cracks on the damp floor
You hear footsteps but you're not sure
On a storyteller's night

See the night sky super nova
Chase the cold moon passing over




Start the dragon's fire to smoulder
On a storyteller's night

Overall Meaning

Magnum's song "On a Storyteller's Night" is a hauntingly beautiful composition that tells a tale of a restless night spent listening to stories, told by an unknown storyteller. The song begins with the imagery of a storm lamp on a table that is throwing shadows to the gable. This lamp represents the source of light that illuminates the storyteller's tales, and the shadows it casts create a mysterious atmosphere. The singer notes that one swallows only if they are "able" - this could mean that the tales being told are serious or heavy, and the listeners need to mentally prepare themselves.


The song further describes the surroundings, where poorhouse chimes are ringing, and seven towers and seven sisters stand in the distance. This could be symbolic of the societal structures that exist, and the blackheart mentioned could be a representation of those who suffer or are oppressed in these structures. The singer then says that though one tries to sleep and dream, it becomes difficult to differentiate between reality and imagination, and time seems to disappear. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the need to keep a night light burning, which could be interpreted as a plea for hope and safety.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a stormlamp on the table
In the presence of a stormlamp, there is light that guides the path.


Throwing shadows to the gable
The lamp casts shadows onto the roof.


And you swallow if your able
You try to calm your fears if you can.


On a storyteller's night
On a night where tales are being told.


From the poorhouse chimes indifferent
The dispassionate sound of the poorhouse bell rings.


Seven towers seven sisters
Seven towers stand with their seven sisters beside them.


Every blackheart walks the distance
All those with evil intentions wander the same path.


Try to sleep on your pillow and dream
Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away into another world.


Sleep in God's children to keep
Find solace in the innocence of children and sleep peacefully.


Though we all lose track of time
Time passes by without us realizing it.


Disappears like faded lines
Time vanishes, just like lines on a page that have been erased.


Keep your night light burning
Don't let the darkness consume you.


I'll come through the wind and rain
I promise to be there for you no matter the conditions.


There's a chill wind at your back door
A cold, eerie breeze wafts through the open door.


And the fire cracks on the damp floor
The sound of the fire reminds you of how damp the floor is.


You hear footsteps but you're not sure
You are not certain if the footstep sounds are real or imaginary.


See the night sky super nova
Marvel at the beauty of a vibrant, exploding night sky.


Chase the cold moon passing over
Follow the cold, stark moon that appears before you.


Start the dragon's fire to smoulder
Take charge of your destiny and reignite the power within.


On a storyteller's night
On a night where tales are being shared and the imagination is ignited.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Christopher Anthony John Martin, Floyd Nathaniel Hills, Nelly Kim Furtado, Timothy Z. Mosley

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

@derekdoig9112

There's a stormlamp on the table
Throwing shadows to the gable
And you swallow if your able
On a storyteller's night
From the poorhouse chimes indifferent
Seven towers seven sisters
Every blackheart walks the distance
On a storyteller's night
Try to sleep on your pillow and dream
Sleep in God's children to keep
Though we all lose track of time
Disappears like faded lines
Keep your night light burning
I'll come through the wind and rain
Keep your night light burning
I'll be with you once again
There's a chill wind at your back door
And the fire cracks on the damp floor
You hear footsteps but you're not sure
On a storyteller's night
See the night sky super nova
Chase the cold moon passing over
Start the dragon's fire to smoulder
On a storyteller's night



@alexxela5086

Lyrics

There's a stormlamp on the table
Throwing shadows to the gable
And you swallow if your able
On a storyteller's night

From the poorhouse chimes indifferent
Seven towers seven sisters
Every blackheart walks the distance
On a storyteller's night

Try to sleep on your pillow and dream
Sleep in God's children to keep
Though we all lose track of time
Disappears like faded lines

Keep your night light burning
I'll come through the wind and rain
Keep your night light burning
I'll be with you once again

There's a chill wind at your back door
And the fire cracks on the damp floor
You hear footsteps but you're not sure
On a storyteller's night

See the night sky super nova
Chase the cold moon passing over
Start the dragon's fire to smoulder
On a storyteller's night



All comments from YouTube:

@chairboy

REST EASY TONY and thank you for all the music and amazing gigs ❤

@74lisaevans

Takes me straight back to my teenage bedroom, still singing my heart out in 2019!

@umyes5246

me three

@totall2952

You said it girl its still class to

@totall2952

Try last one turn out the lights class girl you be safe love from England lol 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 🤣

@jamesjukebox2386

Keep your night light burning Tony R.I.P.

@stevenwilkinson1265

This track can only produce a euphoric feeling for people that love great, classic rock music ....

@conradbarnes6133

its magnificent

@jamesp8677

Or just have an imagination

@user-ng9gd4vl9s

Or just those with an imagination

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