Speak
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


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Speak, vision of the night,
Tell me why you haunt me so.
Speak, heaven morning light,
Whisper all my heart would know.
Dawn, ever finds you gone
Back to where the shadows dwell.
Speak, my beloved, speak,
Tho' you only say farewell.

When doubts and fears cause their tears that blind me,
Why be down if you've come to find me?
Speak to me and I'll follow,
Leaving all the wold behind me.
Can those eyes, calm and wise, deceive me?
While I still know the thrill of your
Mystic shade, dare fade and leave me,
Arms high and low.

Speak, vision of the night,
Tell me why you haunt me so.
Speak, heaven morning light,
Whisper all my heart would know.
Dawn, ever finds you gone
Back to where the shadows dwell.
Speak, my beloved, speak,
Tho' you only say farewell.





Speak! Speak!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mike Oldfield's song "Speak" convey a sense of longing and desperation as the singer implores a vision of the night and the morning light to speak to him and explain why they haunt him so. He yearns for them to share with him the knowledge his heart desires, even if it means saying farewell. The lyrics also touch on the theme of doubts and fears that can blind a person, but in the face of those uncertainties, the singer still desires to follow the vision before him. The words paint a vivid emotional picture of a person who is struggling to make sense of his emotions and desires, and is looking to the intangible to find answers.


Interpreting the lyrics, it's clear that the singer views the vision he is addressing as a beloved, someone who he feels a deep and mystical connection with. The use of light and shadow imagery further emphasizes the idea that the singer is trying to bring clarity to a situation that is obscured by shadows and doubts. The invitation to speak, nearly a command by the end of the song, reflects a deep desire to connect and understand.


Line by Line Meaning

Speak, vision of the night,
The singer addresses the mysterious presence that haunts them in their dreams and asks that it reveal its purpose.


Tell me why you haunt me so.
The singer wants to understand the reason behind the persistent appearance of this vision in their mind.


Speak, heaven morning light,
The singer shifts their focus to beauty and light, and asks the divine to share wisdom and knowledge with them.


Whisper all my heart would know.
The artist seeks answers to the deepest questions of the heart and hopes that they will be revealed.


Dawn, ever finds you gone
The presence disappears with the arrival of daylight and the artist wonders where it goes.


Back to where the shadows dwell.
The singer imagines a world of darkness where this presence might live when it's not with them.


Speak, my beloved, speak,
The singer addresses their cherished vision and pleads for communication, even if it's just to say goodbye.


Tho' you only say farewell.
The artist anticipates the possibility of being left alone again and wants to hear something, anything, one last time.


When doubts and fears cause their tears that blind me,
The artist acknowledges the negative emotions that can cloud their judgment and make them feel lost and uncertain.


Why be down if you've come to find me?
The artist questions the need to feel sad or helpless when something has come to guide them or offer assistance.


Speak to me and I'll follow,
The singer affirms their willingness to listen and obey this vision's message, whatever it may be.


Leaving all the world behind me.
The artist commits to allowing this experience to lead them on a path of discovery, even if it means leaving behind worldly concerns.


Can those eyes, calm and wise, deceive me?
The singer acknowledges the rare and trustworthy nature of this vision and wonders if it could really let them down.


While I still know the thrill of your
The singer reflects on the emotional intensity of this vision's presence and hopes to maintain that feeling.


Mystic shade, dare fade and leave me,
The singer is afraid of losing or forgetting this vision and hopes it will never disappear.


Arms high and low.
The artist describes how they are emotionally affected by this vision's presence - it can elate them or bring them down.


Speak! Speak!
The artist concludes with a final call to action, urging this vision to break its silence and give them the answers they seek.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: L WRIGHT, PERCY EDGAR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@davidcayon7845

So many memories! As a kid I listened over and over ‘Boxed’ a 4 record box set (with a vinyl size mag with photos and a story of his first years) , including TB, ommadawn, hergest ridge; and ‘collaborations’ with a few rarer songs and excerpts from other artists. This was my favorite, so strange!

@robcheerful

I had the same experience, except this song is the only 1970s Mike Oldfield thing I could never ever bear to listen to. 😊

@glennhall8665

Wow, had forgotten about this! Haven’t heard it for about 46yrs. Used to love singing along to it, while trying to do my homework. And I’d belt it out in exactly the same mad way that they did, haha! Great fun. Kind’ve influenced by the Goons, Spike Milligan, Neil Innes, & the Beatles (their jokey songs like ‘You Know My Name, Look Up The Number’). 🙂 👍 🎶

@deepindercheema4917

same here. I had the 'tape' from the box set so it was Collaborations that lulled me to sleep

@maxbeeken5543

Surprised that anyone else remembers this. An absolute drunken classic. Love it!

@iseethem1

Same here

@glennhall8665

Wow, had forgotten about this! Haven’t heard it for about 46yrs. Used to love singing along to it, while trying to do my homework. & I’d belt it out in exactly the same mad way they did, haha! Great fun. Kind’ve influenced by the Goons, Spike Milligan, Neil Innes, & the Beatles (their jokey songs like ‘You Know My Name, Look Up The Number’). 🙂 👍 🎶💕

@iggyspiggot9539

A work of genius.

@ianstrange5674

Bloody marvellous!

@MrSinnerBOFH

LOL!

David Bedford (today would have been his birthday😢) and Mike Oldfield, showing that enough beer will make you believe that you can sing 😂😂

What a brilliant couple of drunken musicians 😂

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