Backing Vocals: Neneh Cherry
Hymn Of The Big Wheel
Massive Attack Lyrics
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On a simple line day by day
The earth spins on its axis
One man struggle while another relaxes
There's a hole in my soul like a cavity
Seems the world is out to gather just by gravity
The wheel keeps turning the sky's rearranging
I'd like to feel that you could be free
Look up at the blue skies beneath a new tree
Sometime again
You'll turn green and the sea turns red
My son I said the power of reflections over my head
The big wheel keeps on turning
On a simple line day by day
The earth spins on its axis
One man struggle while another relaxes
We sang about the sun and danced among the trees
And we listened to the whisper of the city on the breeze
Will you cry in the most in a lead-free zone
Down within the shadows where the factories drone
On the surface of the wheel they build another town
And so the green come tumbling down
Yes close your eyes and hold me tight
And I'll show you sunset sometime again
The big wheel keeps on turning
On a simple line day by day
The earth spins on its axis
One man struggle while another relaxes
As a child solemn pray my hope hides in disguise
While satellites and cameras watch from the skies
An acid drop of rain recycled from the sea
It washed away my shadow burnt a hole in me
And all the king's men cannot put it back again
But the ghetto sun will nurture life
And mend my soul sometime again
The big wheel keeps on turning
On a simple line day by day
The earth spins on its axis
One man struggle while another relaxes
The lyrics of Hymn Of The Big Wheel by Massive Attack talk about the cyclical nature of life and how it keeps moving on despite different struggles and circumstances. The "big wheel" is used as a metaphor for life and how it keeps turning day by day. The line "One man struggle while another relaxes" acknowledges the inequalities present in society where some struggle while others have it easier. The lyrics also express a yearning for freedom and a desire to escape the pressures of the world.
The song talks about a "hole in my soul like a cavity" which suggests a feeling of emptiness or void that one is trying to fill. However, the world seems to be "out to gather just by gravity" meaning that everyone is being pulled towards different things like material possessions or societal expectations. The lyrics address environmental issues as well with lines like "And so the green come tumbling down" and "Down within the shadows where the factories drone".
The lyrics end on a hopeful note with the line "And mend my soul sometime again" which suggests a belief that despite the struggles and challenges, life will blossom again. Overall, the lyrics of Hymn Of The Big Wheel are thought-provoking and introspective, urging the audience to reflect on the cyclical nature of life and how they fit into it.
Line by Line Meaning
The big wheel keeps on turning
Life goes on without stopping and keeps moving forward.
On a simple line day by day
Life is not complex and should be taken one day at a time.
The earth spins on its axis
The world keeps rotating and evolving, despite what happens to individuals.
One man struggle while another relaxes
Life can be unfair, and some people have it easier than others.
There's a hole in my soul like a cavity
I feel empty inside and need something to fill the void.
Seems the world is out to gather just by gravity
The world is always changing and attracting people in different directions.
The wheel keeps turning the sky's rearranging
Time moves forward, and everything is constantly changing.
Look my son the weather is changing
Change is a constant in life, and things are always evolving in unexpected ways.
I'd like to feel that you could be free
I hope that you can experience true freedom and happiness in your life.
Look up at the blue skies beneath a new tree
Focus on the beauty of nature and take time to appreciate it.
Sometime again
I hope that we can experience these happy moments again in the future.
You'll turn green and the sea turns red
The world is always changing, and things may not always be as they seem.
My son I said the power of reflections over my head
I realize the power of my thoughts and how they can influence my life.
We sang about the sun and danced among the trees
We were happy and carefree, enjoying the beauty of nature.
And we listened to the whisper of the city on the breeze
We were aware of the world around us and listened to its messages.
Will you cry in the most in a lead-free zone
Even in an area free of toxic chemicals, people will still suffer and experience pain and sorrow.
Down within the shadows where the factories drone
In industrial areas, there is often a constant hum of machinery and noise.
On the surface of the wheel they build another town
Life continues, and humans continue to build and develop new things.
And so the green come tumbling down
In the process of building and development, green spaces and nature are often destroyed.
Yes close your eyes and hold me tight
In times of struggle, it's important to seek comfort and support from loved ones.
And I'll show you sunset sometime again
I hope that we can experience happy moments together again in the future.
As a child solemn pray my hope hides in disguise
As a child, I prayed for happiness and hope, but it wasn't always obvious.
While satellites and cameras watch from the skies
Technology and surveillance have a constant presence in our lives and can make us feel watched or monitored.
An acid drop of rain recycled from the sea
Even the environment can be harsh and wear down on us.
It washed away my shadow burnt a hole in me
Life can be difficult and leave us feeling empty and damaged.
And all the king's men cannot put it back again
Sometimes, once damage has been done, it cannot be undone.
But the ghetto sun will nurture life
Even in difficult circumstances, hope and growth can come from unexpected places.
And mend my soul sometime again
I hope that I can find peace and healing in the future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Lee Isaac Vowles, Grantley Marshall, Horace Keith Hinds, Neneh Cherry, Robert Del Naja
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind