Out of Shadows
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics


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Crouching down inside a deep ravine
Those angry cries pass quickly by, he can't be seen
So many ways spent hiding in so many undone plans
Forgetting what it's like to fight when no one understands
Close call there in the shadows
There's a fear in the dark
There's one out there
All those memories, pain and anger, flood back one by one
They must be just around the bend, they always come
At night as I lay sleeping they come to me in herds
Their lies remain, the dreams the same, it's only fleeting words
No one calls there in the shadows
There's no end to the dark
But there's one out there, no one but me

The hours pass so slowly, the life's slipping out of me
No way's the right way.
Is there a way out for me?
My life's slipping out

Rising up, the night is done, and now the bright lights come
Held back in my pitied world where everything's undone
A cold wind blows right through me, I'm made a hollow shell
There's nothing left, just ash remains, enrich the soil, no soil, no soil

Close call there in the shadows
There's an end to the dark
'Cause there's someone out there
Someone like me

The hours pass so slowly, the life's slipping out of me
No way's the right way, is there a way out for me
The hours pass so slowly
The life's slipping out of me
Is there a way out for me?
The hours pass so slowly
The life's slipping out of me




Is there a way out for me?
There must be a way out for me

Overall Meaning

The song Out of Shadows by Sarah McLachlan is a deep and melancholic piece about a person who has been hiding in the shadows, tongue-tied and oppressed. The lyrics are evocative and pull the listener into the dark, murky world of the singer. The opening lines reveal a person crouching inside a deep ravine, concealing his or her identity from angry cries that pass by. Through the verses, we see that this person is hiding from something, possibly from memories of pain and anger, which flash back one by one.


The lines "No way's the right way. Is there a way out for me? My life's slipping out" denotes a person who is hopeless, who feels like their life is slipping away from them. Through the chorus, we see that there is someone out there, someone like the singer, possibly a friend or an ally. The song ends on a hopeful note - "There must be a way out for me."


The song delves into themes of anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation, especially in the face of overwhelming problems. Ultimately, the song speaks to the human desire to find meaning, hope and connection in dark and difficult times.


Line by Line Meaning

Crouching down inside a deep ravine
Hiding from the world in a secluded and isolated place.


Those angry cries pass quickly by, he can't be seen
Being invisible to the world while it moves on with its anger and problems.


So many ways spent hiding in so many undone plans
Trying to escape from reality through various unrealized schemes.


Forgetting what it's like to fight when no one understands
Losing the ability to fight for oneself in a world where nobody seems to understand.


Close call there in the shadows
Almost getting caught in the darkness and hopelessness.


There's a fear in the dark
Feeling afraid and vulnerable in the unknown darkness of life.


There's one out there
Acknowledging the presence of someone else in the same dark place.


All those memories, pain and anger, flood back one by one
Recalling all the negative feelings and experiences that haunt constantly.


They must be just around the bend, they always come
Feeling that the negative experiences and emotions are always close, waiting to strike again.


At night as I lay sleeping they come to me in herds
Being unable to escape from the negative thoughts even in one's sleep.


Their lies remain, the dreams the same, it's only fleeting words
Realizing that the dreams and hopes are fleeting and can't be relied upon.


No one calls there in the shadows
Feeling lonely and abandoned in the darkness.


There's no end to the dark
Feeling like there's no way out of the darkness and hopelessness.


But there's one out there, no one but me
Realizing that the only hope is oneself and one's inner strength.


The hours pass so slowly, the life's slipping out of me
Feeling the slow depletion of life and energy while struggling to survive.


No way's the right way.
Feeling lost and uncertain about what direction to take in life.


Is there a way out for me?
Questioning whether there is any hope to escape the darkness of life.


Rising up, the night is done, and now the bright lights come
Leaving behind the darkness and entering a new, brighter phase of life.


Held back in my pitied world where everything's undone
Feeling trapped in a world where nothing seems to work out.


A cold wind blows right through me, I'm made a hollow shell
Feeling empty and hollow, incapable of feeling anything after going through so much pain and struggle.


There's nothing left, just ash remains, enrich the soil, no soil, no soil
Feeling like there is nothing left behind after going through the trials and tribulations of life.


There's an end to the dark
Realizing that the darkness doesn't last forever and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.


'Cause there's someone out there, someone like me
Finding solace in knowing that someone else has gone through similar experiences and can relate to one's struggles.


The hours pass so slowly
Feeling like time drags on when struggling to survive.


Is there a way out for me?
Questioning whether there is any hope to escape the darkness of life.


The life's slipping out of me
Experiencing a gradual and seemingly inexorable loss of life and energy.


There must be a way out for me
Holding onto the hope that there is a way out of the darkness and hopelessness.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SARAH MCLACHLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Jaded Hart


on In The Arms Of The Angels

This will surely make you cry! Everyone can identify with this song! Hear it you won't regret it. And maybe you'll remember!

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