One More Day
Sinead O'Connor Lyrics
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Said on her face what will be
When the whistle breaks this trance
I'll see my friends take their last chance
And we know there's no return
Our hopes in this hole will burn
But now I can see
Little children play upon green hills far, far away
I can see their tears
They know our end
For now our time has come
And only God survives man's gun
I can't go on one more yard
Grey ghosts now drifting by
Oh, I can hear their lonesome cries
And this battle now is over for all my friends, all gone and died
And now it's time to kneel and pray
To our God, spare me again
So I can still fight on
This war's so hard
I can't go on one more yard
In "One More Day" by Sinead O'Connor, the lyrics depict the suffering and despair of a soldier caught in the midst of war. The weight of the situation is overwhelming, taking a toll mentally, emotionally, and physically. The opening lines convey a sense of hopelessness, as the singer acknowledges the inevitability of their fate. The whistle breaking the trance represents a break in the monotony, perhaps signaling an imminent battle or a moment of realization. The mention of friends taking their last chance suggests that they are all aware of the risks they face and the slim chances of survival.
The lyrics also touch upon the longing for normalcy and the contrast between the horrors of war and the innocence of children playing on green hills in a distant place. The awareness of loved ones left behind, the tears they shed, and the impending end create a poignant atmosphere. The line "only God survives man's gun" reflects a sense of helplessness and the belief that divine intervention is the only salvation.
As the song progresses, the sense of loss deepens. The reference to "grey ghosts" and their lonesome cries might signify fallen comrades, their presence lingering and haunting the survivor. The soldier pleads to God for mercy and strength to continue fighting, acknowledging the relentless and grueling nature of war, and the struggle to find the will to carry on.
Overall, "One More Day" captures the immense burden and psychological toll experienced by soldiers in warfare. It paints a bleak picture of the human cost and the internal struggle to find meaning and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
The weight, it's killing me
I feel the heavy burden of the situation, it is overwhelming and causing me great distress
Said on her face what will be
The expression on her face reveals the inevitable outcome that awaits us
When the whistle breaks this trance
Once the whistle sounds, it will awaken us from this state of deep focus and concentration
I'll see my friends take their last chance
I will witness my friends seizing their final opportunity
And we know there's no return
We are aware that there is no going back from this point
Our hopes in this hole will burn
Our aspirations and desires are likely to be destroyed in this dreadful situation
But now I can see
However, at present, I am able to perceive
Little children play upon green hills far, far away
I envision innocent children joyfully playing in the distance, far away from this scene of devastation
Our girls, our mums, our friends
The females who are dear to us - daughters, mothers, and close companions
I can see their tears
I can visualize the tears streaming down their faces
They know our end
They are aware of our impending demise
For now our time has come
The moment has arrived for us, it is our fate
And only God survives man's gun
In this deadly confrontation, only God can withstand the destructive power of human weaponry
I can't go on one more yard
I am unable to continue moving forward even a single step further
Grey ghosts now drifting by
Pale and lifeless figures are now passing by aimlessly
Oh, I can hear their lonesome cries
Their desolate cries resonate within my ears
And this battle now is over for all my friends, all gone and died
The battle has ended for all of my companions, they have all perished
And now it's time to kneel and pray
The moment has arrived to humble ourselves and beseech in prayer
To our God, spare me again
We plead to God to grant us mercy once more
So I can still fight on
Grant me the strength to continue battling
This war's so hard
This war is incredibly challenging and arduous
I can't go on one more yard
I am utterly exhausted and unable to proceed even a mere yard further
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jack Dunne, John Reynolds, Sir Christopher Thomas Evans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind