Emerald City
Prodigal Lyrics


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Oh no, you don't know where to go
So you follow the yellow brick road
All that glitters isn't gold, don't you know?

Ooh, you don't know what to do
Got no courage, heart, or brain
Just a life all filled with pain, an ugly stain
Emerald City, Emerald City
You're just looking for an Emerald City
Emerald City, Emerald City
If you're looking for heaven, you don't have to look so far, so far

Oh my, you had your answer all the time
And now do you understand?
Just reach for his wounded hand; no place like home

Emerald City, Emerald City
You're just looking for an Emerald City
Emerald City, Emerald City
If you're looking for heaven, you don't have to look so far, so far
If you're looking for heaven, you don't have to look so far





So far, so far

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Prodigal's song Emerald City are a tribute to the classic film The Wizard of Oz, emphasizing the importance of finding one's own path in life rather than following the crowd. The first verse sets the stage for the imagery of the song, with the singer advising someone who feels lost to follow the yellow brick road. The iconic phrase "all that glitters isn't gold" is included as a reminder that sometimes things may seem appealing on the surface but turn out to be less than ideal upon closer examination. The second verse speaks directly to the character of the Cowardly Lion, who famously lacked courage in the film. Here, the listener is encouraged to persevere despite their own personal challenges, and the word "stain" is used to describe the sense of shame or embarrassment that such challenges can inflict.


The chorus repeats the phrase "Emerald City," a reference to the final destination of the Wizard of Oz and a symbol of the ultimate goal or ideal life state. The verses and chorus together suggest that the Emerald City represents a place of happiness, fulfillment, and spiritual enlightenment - but it is one that is not easily attained. The line "if you're looking for heaven, you don't have to look so far" seems to suggest that the idea of a perfect life can be found within oneself, rather than always being somewhere out of reach. The final verse ties everything together by revealing that the seeker had the answer all along and merely needed to reach out for help to claim their own personal version of the Emerald City - or, in other words, to find a way to feel at home in their own life.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh no, you don't know where to go
You feel lost and don't know your next steps.


So you follow the yellow brick road
You cling onto the hope that the path you're following will lead you to where you need to be.


All that glitters isn't gold, don't you know?
You've been deceived by the surface-level beauty of certain things, failing to see what's truly valuable.


Ooh, you don't know what to do
You're overwhelmed with confusion and don't know how to handle it.


Got no courage, heart, or brain
You feel weak and lack the qualities you think you need to succeed.


Just a life all filled with pain, an ugly stain
Your experiences have left you feeling battered and broken.


Emerald City, Emerald City
You're seeking a sense of paradise, a better life than the one you currently have.


You're just looking for an Emerald City
You're searching for a solution to your problems, a way to find happiness.


If you're looking for heaven, you don't have to look so far, so far
You don't need to search for an ideal place when it's within your grasp.


Oh my, you had your answer all the time
The solution to your problems has been with you all along, yet you failed to see it.


And now do you understand?
You've finally realized what you need to do and what was holding you back.


Just reach for his wounded hand; no place like home
You need to turn towards the comfort of your loved ones and faith to find your way home.


If you're looking for heaven, you don't have to look so far
Once you find the peace and love you need, you'll discover that everything else falls into place.


So far, so far
You won't need to wander aimlessly anymore once you accept the truth.




Contributed by Alexis F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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