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El Sol
Mark Lanegan Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The sun is gone, and that's all I really know
No angels in the air
With hearts as good as gold
The closer you stand to the gates
The more the gates are closed

These darkened days
Make somebody's hunger and thirst
The blessed burns the sun
He's throwin' shadows on the earth
The shadow you find at the gate
And all the gates are closed
Oh yeah

Anytime you find your race is run
Felt much colder standin' in the sun
Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down
Felt much older than I really was
Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down

The sun is gone, yeah that's all I really know
No angels in the air
With hearts as good as gold
The closer you stand to the gates
The more the gates are closed

Anytime you find your race is run
Felt much colder standin' in the sun
Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down
Felt much older than I really was
Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down
Felt much older standin' in the sun'
Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down
Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down

Overall Meaning

Mark Lanegan's song "El Sol" is a melancholic reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the inevitable passage of life. The opening line, "The sun is gone, and that's all I really know," introduces a sense of existential uncertainty, as if the singer is lost in a sea of darkness, both literally and metaphorically. The absence of angels "with hearts as good as gold" suggests a loss of faith or hope, leaving the singer feeling isolated and alone.


The second verse speaks to the notion of mortality, as the "blessed burns the sun" and "throw[s] shadows on the earth." The shadow referred to at the end of the verse represents death or the unknown, which looms closer as one approaches the gates. The repetition of the line "the more the gates are closed" reinforces the finality and inescapable nature of time.


The chorus, with its refrain of "Anytime you find your race is run," emphasizes the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of aging. The line "Felt much older than I really was" speaks to the emotional toll that time takes on a person. The final line "Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down" suggests a sense of resignation, as if the singer has come to accept the transience of life and the eventual arrival of death.


Line by Line Meaning

The sun is gone, and that's all I really know
It's nighttime and the singer is uncertain about anything else


No angels in the air
There's no divine or celestial intervention happening


With hearts as good as gold
There are no truly good, morally upright beings present


The closer you stand to the gates
The nearer you are to a goal or objective


The more the gates are closed
The harder it is to achieve the goal or objective


These darkened days
Times are difficult and challenging


Make somebody's hunger and thirst
People are struggling to find sustenance and fulfillment


The blessed burns the sun
The fortunate ones are enjoying the sun's warmth and light


He's throwin' shadows on the earth
The fortunate ones are casting shadows on those less privileged


The shadow you find at the gate
Obstacles or adversity encountered on the path to a goal


And all the gates are closed
Access to desired outcomes is blocked or obstructed


Anytime you find your race is run
When you feel like you've exhausted all efforts


Felt much colder standin' in the sun
Even success can feel unsatisfying or bitter


Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down
Waiting for something that provides solace or comfort


Felt much older than I really was
Situations can age and wear down a person beyond their years


Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down
Hoping for something that can ease the challenges and struggles


Felt much older standin' in the sun'
Achievements or success can still feel hollow or unfulfilling


Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down
Desiring to be comforted or feel relief from the negativity


Waitin' for some warmth and comin' down
Anticipating and hoping for something that can ease struggles




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK LANEGAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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