Runaway Wind
Paul Westerberg Lyrics
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You die down in the trees and try to hide
Will you witness the dark
All you need is a spark
A cathedral of torches to light the night
On your mark here I am
I`m your spark
Run run away wind
You trade your telescope for a keyhole
Make way for the gray that`s in your brown
As dreams make way for plans
See ya watch life from the stands
Come on I`ll help you burn `em to the ground
On your mark here I am
I`m your spark
Runaway wind
He sees ya like a river
Deep and silent
And he runs to you like
A shallow noisy stream
I see what you`ve become and try to hide it
You need someone who sees
What you were born to be
Here I am
You don`t. blow like the breeze
You were born to be
You don`t know what to do with your life
As day returns to dark
Flame returns to spark
Come on I feel I`m blowing out tonight
I`m your spark here I am
I`m your spark here I am
I`m your spark here I am
On your mark run away wind
Watch you run
Watch you run
Watch you run
The lyrics to Paul Westerberg's Runaway Wind describe a person who feels lost and stuck, unable to live up to their potential. The imagery of the wind, which is meant to be free and unencumbered, trapped in the trees and struggling to be noticed, is a powerful metaphor for the feeling of being held back by life's circumstances. The singer of the song is encouraged to break free of their limitations and embrace their true nature, which is compared to a cathedral of torches that can light up the night. The singer of the song, who refers to himself as the spark that can set the wind free, urges the wind to take action and embrace its true identity.
The second verse of the song continues the message of the first verse, urging the wind to abandon its old ways and embrace a new, more fulfilling path. The wind, which is compared to a person who is stuck watching life from the sidelines, is urged to take action and burn down the old order so that something new can take its place. The bridge of the song introduces a new character, who sees the wind in a different light. While the wind sees itself as stuck and struggling, the new character sees the wind's true potential and encourages it to embrace its true nature. The repeated refrain of "I'm your spark, here I am" underscores the singer's desire to help the wind break free and become the force it was meant to be.
Line by Line Meaning
You don`t blow like the breeze you were born to be
You lack the freedom and natural ease that you were meant to embody
You die down in the trees and try to hide
You retreat to a place of concealment when faced with adversity or challenge
Will you witness the dark
Are you willing to confront and experience the difficulties of life
All you need is a spark
A small spark of motivation and inspiration is all that is necessary to ignite change
A cathedral of torches to light the night
An abundance of passionate and purposeful individuals working together can create a beacon of hope
On your mark here I am
I am ready and willing to help you move forward
You trade your telescope for a keyhole
You sacrifice your broad perspective for a narrow, limiting one
Make way for the gray that`s in your brown
Accept the complexities and contradictions of life, rather than seeking simplistic answers
As dreams make way for plans
The idealism of youth gives way to practicality and goal-setting
See ya watch life from the stands
You observe and critique rather than participate in life
Come on I`ll help you burn `em to the ground
I will support you in dismantling those walls and barriers that are preventing you from moving forward
He sees ya like a river
He admires the deep and steady nature of your being
Deep and silent
Just like a river may appear placid on the surface, you have a calmness within that belies your inner strength
And he runs to you like
He recognizes your potential and is eager to support you
A shallow noisy stream
In contrast, he recognizes the superficiality of his own nature and is drawn to your depth
I see what you`ve become and try to hide it
I perceive the inner turmoil and confusion that you feel, though you may try to suppress it
You need someone who sees
You require a supportive and empathetic individual to help you navigate your challenges
What you were born to be
Someone who understands your innate potential and can help bring it to fruition
You don`t know what to do with your life
You feel lost and uncertain about your direction in life
As day returns to dark
As the sun goes down and darkness descends, you feel a sense of uncertainty and disorientation
Flame returns to spark
However, there is always the possibility for re-ignition and renewal, even after a period of darkness
Come on I feel I`m blowing out tonight
I sense that I am nearing the end of my journey, and I want to help you as best I can
Watch you run
I am filled with admiration and hope as I observe the progress you are making
Watch you run
I am inspired by your courage and determination, and I will continue to support you however I can
Watch you run
I have faith that you will achieve your goals and realize your true potential
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lou Angelwolf
You don't blow like the breeze, you were born to be
You die down in the trees and try and hide
Will you witness the dark, all you need is a spark
A cathedral of torches light the night
On your mark, here I am
I'm your spark, runaway wind
Run runaway wind
You trade your telescope for a keyhole
And make way for the gray that's in your brown
As dreams made way for plans
See you watch life from the stands
Come on I'll help you burn 'em to the ground
On your mark, here I am
I'm your spark, runaway wind
He sees you like a river, deep and silent
And he runs to you like a shallow noisy stream
I see what you've become and try to hide it
You need someone who sees what you were born to be
Here I am
You don't blow like the breeze, you were born to be
You don't know what to do with your life
As day returns to dark, flame returns to spark
Come on I feel I'm blowing out tonight
I'm your spark, here I am
I'm your spark, here I am
I'm your spark, here I am
On your mark runaway wind
Watch you run
Watch you run
Watch you run
Pete Mourilyan
You don`t blow like the breeze you were born to be
You die down in the trees and try to hide
Will you witness the dark
All you need is a spark
A cathedral of torches to light the night
On your mark here I am
I`m your spark
Runaway wind
Run run away wind
You trade your telescope for a keyhole
Make way for the gray that`s in your brown
As dreams make way for plans
See ya watch life from the stands
Come on I`ll help you burn `em to the ground
On your mark here I am
I`m your spark
Runaway wind
He sees ya like a river
Deep and silent
And he runs to you like
A shallow noisy stream
I see what you`ve become and try to hide it
You need someone who sees
What you were born to be
Here I am
You don`t. blow like the breeze
You were born to be
You don`t know what to do with your life
As day returns to dark
Flame returns to spark
Come on I feel I`m blowing out tonight
I`m your spark here I am
I`m your spark here I am
I`m your spark here I am
On your mark run away wind
Watch you run
Watch you run
Watch you run
James Bretherton
Came here cause of Mighty Ducks Game Changers, not ashamed to say it, great music
Monica McKeown
this is an AMAZING video. paul is definitely one of the best songwriters of all time.
Christopher Stratton
Reading a book while my kids watch Disney’s Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (S1 E3) & this song is the music steering a musical montage scene at the end, bleeding into the closing credits. My 11 year old daughter “loves this song”. Time to bust out the ‘Mats anthology & take this kid to school.
KellyGreen5555
Really beautiful & underappreciated, like Westerberg himself. Thanks for posting.
11spike7
He is such a great musician.
John Miller
One of the most beautiful songs ever...
Joseph Marraccino
I listened to this song hundreds of times thru the years but only recently did I really hear it. It's neat how songs can change in meaning to you. Goosebumps head to toe.
Ryan Lloyd
Totally agree, John!It's probably my favorite of his, and he has made tons of great songs.
Michael Ferris
This guy is so underrated.
HalfGreyhound
When central casting needs a rock star, they should call Paul. He just looks the part. Great song.