The Ghost In You
Siouxsie A The Banshees Lyrics
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From the infinite fields of dreamless sleep
You return to Tiannammen
An eyewitness in a shroud
To see them fall, feel them yield
Reliving the terror of the crowd
Hold the whirlwind, don't let it blow
Hold the whirlwind, don't let it blow
I seemed to know the ghost in you
The whisper of your scream
Sighed through the air
And faith the flag is torn and frayed
Infernal heat, glory in flame
Love was beaten and betrayed
In every step I hear your sobbing
Dare I break the shade with one caress
Dare I trespass to lift the veil
To touch the lips so soft and frail
Hold the whirlwind, don't let it blow
I seemed to know the ghost in you
Your captive heart's
The belief you share
With a kiss eternal
Spirits of the square
Hold the whirlwind, don't let it blow
Hope remains with the ghost in you
Hold the whirlwind, don't let it blow
I seemed to know the ghost in you
Don't let it blow
The ghost in you
The ghost in you
The lyrics of "The Ghost In You" by Siouxsie and the Banshees metaphorically describe the experience of waking up from a dreamless sleep and facing the harsh realities of the world, particularly the horrors of the Tiannammen Square massacre in China in 1989. The "burning paper house" awoke from suggests a fragile and fleeting existence, while the "infinite fields of dreamless sleep" imply a blissful ignorance of the world's problems. The reference to Tiannammen Square and witnessing the fall of the protesters in a "shroud" suggests a feeling of powerlessness or helplessness in the face of violence and oppression.
The chorus seems to offer a glimmer of hope in the face of such despair. The singer seems to be telling someone, perhaps themselves, to "hold the whirlwind," to resist being overwhelmed by the chaos and turbulence of the world. They also suggest that they have a connection with the "ghost" in the other person, a sense of empathy or understanding, that can help them find hope and meaning in the midst of tragedy.
The "whisper of your scream" and the image of a torn and frayed flag suggest a sense of betrayal or disappointment, as if the ideals of love and freedom have been corrupted or destroyed. Yet the singer still hears the other person's "sobbing" and wonders whether they should try to offer comfort, to "break the shade" and lift the veil of sorrow.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Ghost In You" seem to be a meditation on the fragility of life, the horrors of oppression and violence, and the power of empathy, hope, and love to help us endure.
Line by Line Meaning
You awoke in a burning paper house
You woke up in a state of chaos and destruction.
From the infinite fields of dreamless sleep
You emerged from a deep, non-rewarding sleep.
You return to Tiannammen
You revisit the memories of the Tiannanmen Square massacre.
An eyewitness in a shroud
You witnessed the brutal incident in a state of shock and disbelief.
To see them fall, feel them yield
You witnessed many people fall and surrender, inspiring deep emotions of pain and helplessness.
Reliving the terror of the crowd
You experience the traumatic reminiscences of the catastrophic event.
Hold the whirlwind, don't let it blow
You must control the uncontrollable chaos that you are experiencing.
Just for a moment I seemed to know
You had a brief moment of clarity in the midst of the confusion.
The whisper of your scream
You secretly express your innermost feelings.
Sighed through the air
Your expression of vulnerability was felt by everyone around.
And faith the flag is torn and frayed
The symbol of faith, in this case, the flag, has been damaged and is falling apart.
Infernal heat, glory in flame
The situation around you is explosive and highly charged.
Love was beaten and betrayed
The very thing that you valued the most, your love, has been shattered, and you feel betrayed.
In every step I hear your sobbing
The pain and suffering that you are experiencing is evident in every step you take.
Dare I break the shade with one caress
You are unsure if you should take any action, as it may lead to more chaos.
Dare I trespass to lift the veil
You are uncertain whether you should delve deeper into your pain.
To touch the lips so soft and frail
The idea of reconnecting with someone you loved, who is now gone, seems like a distant dream.
Your captive heart's The belief you share
Your passions and desires are intertwined with your beliefs.
With a kiss eternal Spirits of the square
The memory of someone you loved is forever imprinted in your mind.
Hope remains with the ghost in you
Deep within, there is a feeling of hope that you must cling onto.
Don't let it blow The ghost in you The ghost in you
Don't let go of the hope and memories that sustain you, they are the 'ghost in you'.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SIOUXSIE, THE BANSHEES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind