Read Full Bio ↴We Came Through is the fifth track on Scott Walkers third album Scott 3.
About the track Walker commented: "Brel's influence at its strongest, I use it to refer to people who put themselves on pedestals. I saw a picture of a gargoyle. It summed up the 'Holier Than Thou' attitude, I wanted it to sound military and gave it the 'Mathilde' treatment. My best lyrical accomplishment. But we really failed on the recording of it."
We Came Through
Scott Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We came riding through like warriors from afar
Our black horses danced upon the graves of yesterday's desires
Haunted by our visions framed in fire
I greet you, for you still believe in what's behind a door
You've seen the children freeze upon their knees
And praying to the wind
Descend their grey madonnas back again
And we'll weep tonight, but we won't lie awake
Gazing up at statues dressed in stars
We won't dream, for they don't come true for us
Not anymore
They've run afar to hide in caves
With haggard burning eyes
Their icy voices tear our hearts like knives
We came through
Like the Gothic monsters perched on Notre Dame
We observe the naked souls of gutters pouring forth mankind
Smothered in an avalanche of time
And we're giants as we watch our kings and countries raise their shields
And Guevara dies encased in their ideals
And as Luther King's predictions fade from view
We came through
Scott Walker's song We Came Through is a powerful and metaphorical interpretation of the struggles that we face in the world. It talks about the journey that we're all a part of and the sacrifices that we make along the way. The song opens with the line "We came through" which sets up the idea that the journey has been a long one and that the people who have made it through are warriors. The black horses that danced upon the graves of yesterday's desires symbolize the memories and past struggles that have brought the characters to where they are now. The visions framed in fire represent the intense passion and conviction that these warriors possess.
The lyrics go on to address the listener directly, acknowledging their belief in what's behind a door. This may be interpreted as a reference to hope and the idea that there is something worth fighting for. The reference to children freezing upon their knees and praying to the wind highlights the desperation that some people face in their search for a better life. The grey madonnas may represent the people who have suffered and died in pursuit of this goal.
The song then takes a darker turn, as the references to guns and men who died for freedom's sake suggest that the journey has not been easy. The balanced line "And we'll weep tonight, but we won't lie awake / Gazing up at statues dressed in stars" illustrates the combination of grief and resilience that is required to continue the journey. The final lines of the song reference Gothic monsters, naked souls, and kings and countries raising their shields, suggesting that the journey is ongoing and that there will be more obstacles to overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
We came through
We overcame a great challenge or obstacle
We came riding through like warriors from afar
We arrived with great strength and courage, from a distant place
Our black horses danced upon the graves of yesterday's desires
We triumphed over past failures and regrets, and celebrated our success
Haunted by our visions framed in fire
Our passionate beliefs and ideas continue to inspire and drive us
I greet you, for you still believe in what's behind a door
I acknowledge and appreciate your hopeful spirit and optimism
You've seen the children freeze upon their knees
You've witnessed the suffering and hardship of the innocent
And praying to the wind
Seeking solace from the uncontrollable forces of fate
Descend their grey madonnas back again
Return to the same old comforts and routines, despite the pain
Fire the guns, and salute the men who died for freedom's sake
Acknowledge and honor those who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause
And we'll weep tonight, but we won't lie awake
We will grieve our losses, but we won't let them keep us from moving forward
Gazing up at statues dressed in stars
Looking up to admire those who have achieved greatness and recognition
We won't dream, for they don't come true for us
We've lost hope and given up on our own aspirations
Not anymore
However, we're determined to regain our optimism and passion
They've run afar to hide in caves
Our dreams and aspirations have become distant and unreachable
With haggard burning eyes
We are exhausted and desperate, yet still driven
Their icy voices tear our hearts like knives
Our own doubts and fears are causing us great pain and sorrow
Like the Gothic monsters perched on Notre Dame
We are outsiders, misunderstood and feared by society
We observe the naked souls of gutters pouring forth mankind
We see the raw, unfiltered truth of humanity's struggles and triumphs
Smothered in an avalanche of time
We feel overwhelmed and buried by the passage of time and history
And we're giants as we watch our kings and countries raise their shields
We feel powerful and larger than life as we witness the political and social struggles of our time
And Guevara dies encased in their ideals
Even the greatest heroes and leaders are not immune to the consequences of their actions and beliefs
And as Luther King's predictions fade from view
The hopes and dreams of past generations are slowly losing relevance and meaning
We came through
Despite all of this, we will persevere and overcome
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SCOTT ENGEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tenning
The most Power compressed into 2 minutes of sound I've ever heard.
Blake Gildaphish
"they've run far away to hide in caves with haggard burning eyes, their icy voices tear our hearts like knives!!"
JuanK Gonzalez
Masterpiece
herbbirdsfoot
Timely.
buchanan vanderbilt
Gothic monsters perched on Notre Dame