Bright Wings
Mortal Lyrics


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The world is charged with the Grandeur of God
The world is charged with beauty

It will flame out, like shining from Shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the Ooze of oil
Crushed

Because the Holy Ghost over the bend World
Broods with warm breast and with Ah!
Bright Wings

And for all this, nature is never Spent;
There lives the dearest freshness
Deep down things;

And though the last lights
Off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink east-Ward, springs

Because the Holy Ghost over the bend World
Broods with warm breast and with Ah!
Bright Wings





[adapted from "God's Grandeur" by Gerard Manley Hopkins]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mortal's song Bright Wings are adapted from "God's Grandeur" by Gerard Manley Hopkins, a poet who wrote about the beauty of God's creation and the power of the Holy Ghost. The lyrics speak of the world being charged with the Grandeur of God and beauty, which will "flame out" like shining from shook foil, and gather to a greatness like the ooze of oil crushed. The Holy Ghost is said to be brooding over the bend world with warm breast and bright wings, which gives life to nature that is never spent, and maintains the dearest freshness deep down things. The song ends with a call to morning at the brown brink eastward, which springs because of the Holy Ghost's presence.


The lyrics to Bright Wings carry a deep spiritual message, which speaks to the beauty and power of God's creation. The reference to the Holy Ghost, which is often overlooked or misunderstood, is a reminder of the divine presence that exists in the world around us. The words used, such as "flame out" and "bright wings," create vivid imagery that helps to convey the message of the song. The use of poetry as a source for the lyrics adds a layer of depth and complexity, which makes the song more thought-provoking.


Line by Line Meaning

The world is charged with the Grandeur of God
The world is filled with the splendor and magnificence of God


It will flame out, like shining from Shook foil;
The world's beauty is so intense it is comparable to the bright and flickering reflections seen on crumpled aluminum foil


It gathers to a greatness, like the Ooze of oil
The beauty of the world expands and grows like oil that oozes out when it is crushed


Because the Holy Ghost over the bend World
This expansion and growth happen because the Holy Ghost embraces and watches over the curved horizon of the world


Broods with warm breast and with Ah!
The Holy Ghost watches over the world with nurturing warmth and awe


Bright Wings
The Holy Ghost has wings that shine with light


And for all this, nature is never Spent;
Despite all the beauty and growth seen in nature, it never becomes depleted or consumed


There lives the dearest freshness
There is always a sense of newness and renewal in the natural world


Deep down things;
This freshness and renewal exist at the very core of existence


And though the last lights
Even when the final lights of day have faded completely


Off the black West went
And the sun has set in the western sky


Oh, morning, at the brown brink east-Ward, springs
Morning always returns, bringing with it new possibilities and potential for growth in the eastern sky


Because the Holy Ghost over the bend World
This cycle of growth, renewal, and beauty is repeated because the Holy Ghost continually watches over the world's horizon


Broods with warm breast and with Ah!
The Holy Ghost maintains its nurturing presence of warmth and awe


Bright Wings
The Holy Ghost shines with the brilliance of its wings




Contributed by Alex P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ryanprovonsha

"The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs —
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings."

- Gerard Manley Hopkins, God's Grandeur



All comments from YouTube:

@jamieanderegg3489

"God's Grandeur" by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Had this song running through my head and had to hear it again.

@antifret

aww man, seeing Jerome, Jyro, and Frank come through once or twice a year was so cool. i miss those cats

@Godrules

My all time favorite.. Still like it 15 years after I first heard it. Its actually an old poem, about 100 years old or so. I saw it once in a Christian book of poetry.

@kwaggoner2494

Yes, this poem is one in my son's home school poetry book from 9th grade. I knew it from Mortal. I so enjoyed sharing it with him and have since enjoyed Father Hopkins other great poems. A truly inspired poet.

@DiegoMendezM

I'll never get tired of listen this song

@kwaggoner2494

Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote this poem. Mortal did a great job putting it to song. It is great!!

@AustinKloudChloesPetRhino

This was my favorite off this album........... Great drum beats in this one.

@Godrules

Just put up a version with video scenery of the earth's beauty. I figured the song needed it.. I think Mortal/Fold Zandura needs more cool video representation here on YouTube.

@tworoads40

My brothers of Pinoy live life Caz sorry been kin lolo ..ahh lolos sermons..Lola's luglug.
..
Lola Dancels dulces. ..luv u Gd All Noble Jonny Jerome Mark Rip. Luke. Jersey boyz

@josephcruz669

Is that drum loop sample?

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