Whispering
Spring Awakening [Original Broadway Cast] Lyrics
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Hear the ghosts in the moonlight.
Sorrow doing a new dance
Through their bones, through their skin.
Listening
To the souls in the fools night
Fumbling mutely with their rude hands
See the father bent in grief
The mother dressed in mourning
Sister crumples
And the neighbors grumble
The Preacher issues warnings
History
Little Miss, didn't do right
Went and ruined all the true plans
Such a shame
Such a sin
Mystery
Home alone on a school night
Harvest moon over the blue land
Summer longing on the wind
Had a sweetheart on his knees
So faithful and adoring
And he touched me
And I let him love me
So let that be my story
Listening
For the hope, for the new life
Something beautiful, a new chance
Hear it's whispering
There again
The song "Whispering" from the broadway musical Spring Awakening tells a story of sadness and confusion. It is a commentary on how society reacts to unconventional actions or beliefs of individuals. The song expresses that many people, whether they are living or dead, whisper their secrets to the wind at night. This is a metaphor for the truth that people often keep their innermost truths hidden from the rest of the world.
The lyrics suggest that there is "sorrow doing a new dance, through their bones and through their skin." This imagery is about how deep sorrow crawls into one's bones and how it shows its presence in the way one's skin looks. The song also presents the idea that sometimes people listen to the souls on the fool's night fumbling to find their way. The lyrics come alive, describing how the sad father bends with grief and the mother dressed in mourning while the sister crumples. All this leads to the neighbors' grumbling, issuing warnings from the preacher.
The song is talking about how society often tries to control and suppress individuals when they go against the traditional norms. It narrates the stories of one Miss who "didn't do right" and, in doing so, "ruined all the true plans." Throughout the lyrics, the hope of finding a new life, a new chance, is echoed. Despite this hope, the song emphasizes that life could be very hard and filled with many mysteries, and one might never be able to find all the answers to their questions.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear the ghosts in the moonlight.
I can hear the tormented souls of the dead in the pale light of the moon. They cry out in anguish and regret.
Sorrow doing a new dance
Pain and affliction twist and contort in an intricate and unfamiliar pattern. It's a dance of sadness and despair.
Through their bones, through their skin.
The agony of these specters goes beyond mere physical pain. It permeates their very being, suffusing everything with a profound sense of mournfulness.
Listening to the souls in the fools night
I am attuned to the cries of the lost and dejected, wandering aimlessly through the dark and uncertain night. They are the outcasts and the forgotten, desperate for anyone to listen to their plight.
Fumbling mutely with their rude hands
These forlorn spirits desperately grasp for something to cling to, but their movements are clumsy and uncertain. They stumble blindly through the darkness, unable to articulate their pain.
And there's heartache without end
The suffering these creatures endure is infinite and unyielding. Their hearts are broken and will remain so for all eternity.
See the father bent in grief
I witness the inconsolable sorrow of a father who has lost everything. He is consumed by his pain and can barely stand upright.
The mother dressed in mourning
The mother stands in silent grief, wearing the trappings of mortality as a symbol of her anguish. Her eyes are red and swollen from ceaseless weeping.
Sister crumples
The sister collapses under the weight of her despair. She is defeated and broken, unable to endure any longer.
And the neighbors grumble
The neighbors, ignorant and uncaring, grumble about the tragedy that has befallen this family. They are indifferent to the suffering of others and only interested in their own affairs.
The Preacher issues warnings
The preacher delivers stern warnings to his flock, warning them of the dangers of sin and the inevitability of judgment. He uses the suffering of this family as a cautionary tale.
Little Miss, didn't do right
There was a girl who made a grave mistake. Her actions were wrong and had dire consequences.
Went and ruined all the true plans
Through her actions, this girl destroyed the carefully laid plans of those around her. She brought chaos and destruction to their lives.
Such a shame
It is a pity that this young girl failed to live up to her potential. Her misdeeds have caused great harm to those around her.
Such a sin
Her actions were not just unfortunate, but morally reprehensible. She has sinned against others and herself.
Home alone on a school night
I am alone in my house on a weekday evening. The quietness of the night surrounds me, and I am filled with a sense of wistfulness.
Harvest moon over the blue land
The sky is illuminated by a full, golden moon that casts a warm glow over the world. The land below it is painted in shades of deep blue.
Summer longing on the wind
The wind carries with it the promise of summer and all its joys. It is a time of carefree happiness and effortless romance.
Had a sweetheart on his knees
There was a boy who loved me deeply and was willing to humble himself before me.
So faithful and adoring
This boy's love for me was steadfast and unwavering. He adored me with all his heart.
And he touched me
He made physical contact with me, bridging the gap between us and drawing us closer together.
And I let him love me
I reciprocated his love and allowed him to express his affection towards me. Our relationship was born out of mutual love and compassion.
So let that be my story
I want this story to be told and remembered. I want the memory of our love to endure and inspire others.
For the hope, for the new life
I listen for the promise of hope and renewal, the chance to start anew and find meaning in life. I am filled with a sense of anticipation and expectation.
Something beautiful, a new chance
I await with eager excitement the arrival of something beautiful and transformative, a chance to break free from the past and embrace a brighter future.
Hear it's whispering
I am attuned to the soft whisperings of life, the gentle nudges that guide us towards fulfillment and happiness. They are always present, waiting to be heard.
There again
The whispers of life are ever present, urging us towards our destiny. We need only be open and receptive to their call.
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.