The Swallow
Passionworks Lyrics
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He's turning to me
I take him to my prison
I'm keeping the key
But in his prison he's lonely singing
his sweetest song to me
I listen to him singing
Lonely so lonely
dying slowly
He's trying to sing
I'm trying to see
The days went by and I forgot him inside
I lost the key
without seeds he's reaching out for me
And starving to death
waiting for the end
Lonely so lonely
dying slowly
He's trying to sing
I'm trying to see
If I release the swallow
I'm learning to see
And in the wind tomorrow
he's turning free
“Lonely not lonely
flying only”
He's crying to me
I'm finding the key
The lyrics of Passionworks's song "The Swallow" depict a poignant metaphorical story of captivity, longing, and eventual liberation. The singer, metaphorically represented as waiting for the swallow, takes the bird into their prison and keeps the key, symbolizing the power and control they have over a being that now depends on them. The swallow, in its confinement, sings a sweet song that captivates the singer, creating a bond between them as the bird appears to belong to the singer in some way.
As time passes, the singer's attention wanes, and they forget about the swallow trapped in the prison. Losing the key, the singer inadvertently leaves the bird to suffer in solitary confinement, slowly starving and nearing death. Despite the swallow's efforts to sing and communicate its distress, the singer is oblivious to the bird's plight, highlighting the theme of neglect and abandonment in the relationship between captor and captive.
The lyrics convey a sense of guilt and realization as the singer comes to terms with the consequences of their actions. The mention of the swallow reaching out for seeds, a basic necessity for survival, underscores the singer's failure to provide for the creature they had imprisoned. The imagery of the swallow starving and waiting for the end evokes a somber and heart-wrenching scene of a life in captivity coming to a tragic close.
The resolution of the song builds towards a moment of enlightenment and redemption for the singer. As they contemplate the possibility of setting the swallow free, they begin to understand the true essence of the bird's existence. Releasing the swallow signifies a profound transformation in the singer's perspective, as they learn to see beyond their own selfish desires and allow the bird to reclaim its freedom. The closing lines, where the swallow is depicted as flying freely and crying to the singer while they finally find the key, symbolize a reconciliation and an acknowledgment of the swallow's rightful place in the world. Overall, "The Swallow" serves as a powerful allegory for empathy, compassion, and the journey towards liberation and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm waiting for the swallow
Anticipating the arrival of the swallow, eagerly expecting a sign of freedom
He's turning to me
He is seeking my help, looking towards me for salvation
I take him to my prison
I confine him to a place where he cannot escape
I'm keeping the key
I hold the power to release him from his captivity
But in his prison he's lonely singing
Despite his confinement, he expresses his feelings of solitude through his song
His sweetest song to me
He communicates his emotions through music, reaching out to me with his melody
I listen to him singing
I pay attention to his plea, acknowledging his plea for freedom
He belongs to me
He is under my control and influence, yet his spirit longs for freedom
If I release the swallow
If I choose to set him free from captivity
I'm learning to see
I begin to understand the importance of liberty and compassion
And in the wind tomorrow
In the promise of a new day, a chance for freedom and redemption
He's turning free
He regains his independence, soaring to new heights
He's trying to sing
Despite his struggles, he continues to express himself through music
I'm trying to see
I make an effort to understand his plight and respond with empathy
Lonely so lonely
Feeling isolated and alone, yearning for connection and redemption
Dying slowly
Slowly losing hope and vitality in his confined state
Without seeds he's reaching out for me
Deprived of nourishment and sustenance, he seeks my help for survival
And starving to death
Undergoing a painful and slow demise due to lack of care and nourishment
waiting for the end
Enduring suffering and longing for relief from his plight
Lonely not lonely
Transitioning from isolation to freedom, finding solace in liberation and flight
flying only
Embracing the freedom of flight, breaking free from confinement and suffering
He's crying to me
Expressing his gratitude and emotions as he regains his freedom
I'm finding the key
Discovering the key to his liberation, unlocking the gates of his imprisonment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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