How They Shine
Solveig Slettahjell Lyrics


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oh the leaves
the glowing leaves
how they shine
oh the trees
the trees so bare

she told her story
and her supple strength
it shone with glory
in her wrinkly face
her dear ones and her lost ones
the good days and the bad
the yesterdays and bygones
the sad times and the glad

oh the leaves
the glowing leaves
how they shine
oh the trees
the trees so bare

I'm looking back she said
in gratefulness
you look ahead she said
and I am blessed
you walk your path she said
you live your love
your days are mine she said
how they shine

oh the leaves
the glowing leaves
how they shine




oh the trees
the trees so bare

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Solveig Slettahjell's song How They Shine speak of the beauty and resilience of nature, as well as the wisdom and gratitude of an elder woman. The glowing leaves and bare trees represent the constant changes that occur in life, but also the cyclical and ever-renewing nature of existence. The woman's story is a testament to the fact that human life is also marked by change and growth, with all its ups and downs, joys and sorrows.


The woman's wrinkled face represents the many experiences and struggles she has overcome, and her supple strength symbolizes her resilience and determination. She has lost loved ones but also sees the beauty and blessings in her life. She encourages the listener to live their own path and to cherish every moment, both good and bad. The song is ultimately about finding meaning and hope in life's imperfections and transience, and embracing the beauty of the present moment.


Line by Line Meaning

oh the leaves
The singer is admiring the beauty and radiance of the leaves.


the glowing leaves
The singer is emphasizing the brightness and shining quality of the leaves.


how they shine
The singer is marveling at how brilliantly the leaves gleam.


oh the trees
The artist is referring to the bare trees in the wintertime.


the trees so bare
The artist is emphasizing how empty and barren the trees seem without leaves.


she told her story
The singer is describing someone recounting their life experiences.


and her supple strength
The singer is describing the resilience and flexibility of the storyteller's character.


it shone with glory
The artist is saying the storyteller's strength made her shine with radiance.


in her wrinkly face
The artist is highlighting the storyteller's age and life experience.


her dear ones and her lost ones
The artist is referencing both the storyteller's loved ones and those she has lost.


the good days and the bad
The singer is referring to the happy and sad times in the storyteller's life.


the yesterdays and bygones
The artist is referring to the past experiences of the storyteller.


the sad times and the glad
The singer is referring to the happy and sad times in the storyteller's life.


I'm looking back she said
The singer is recounting the storyteller looking back on her life.


in gratefulness
The singer is saying the storyteller is feeling thankful for her life experiences.


you look ahead she said
The artist is describing the storyteller encouraging someone to focus on the present and future.


and I am blessed
The artist is describing how grateful the storyteller feels in the present moment.


you walk your path she said
The singer is describing the storyteller telling someone to follow their own path in life.


you live your love
The singer is describing the storyteller telling someone to live their life with passion and love.


your days are mine she said
The artist is saying the storyteller cares for the person and wants their happiness.


how they shine
The artist is marveling at how brilliantly the leaves gleam.




Contributed by Brody T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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