Like A White Star
T. Rex Lyrics


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At the birth of the day
As a babe of the spray
Like a white star, tangled and far,
Tulip that's what you are.
Warm and wise as a mute
In the thunderbolt suit
Princely and torn, grasping the horn
Of the maenads of May.
Sleepy dreaming of dark
Silver Satyrs in parks
Statues that say, worship the day
For only humans you are.
Channels churning the grime
Inky dreams of our time
Into the Sun, where the white one
Poems them into a rhyme.
On a hill the clear shrill
Made the Titans most ill
Angels abound, and
I'm kissing the ground
Thrilled to be around
Vineyards spangled with love
For the white dove above
Green and lean from the waste
Of the pastures of chaste
Preciously he is whole.
Twinkled eyes like a king
Charted seas on your skin




Like a White Star, tangled and far,
Tulip that's what you are.

Overall Meaning

The song "Like a White Star Tangled and Far Tulip That's What You Are" by T. Rex is an enigma wrapped in a riddle, as it is a poetic and highly symbolic song that defies simple explanation. The central theme of the song seems to be the celebration of nature and the beauty and power of the human spirit, as represented by the mythological figures and symbols mentioned in the lyrics.


The song opens with a reference to the birth of the day, perhaps suggesting the beginning of a new era or a moment of awakening. The singer then compares the subject of the song to a "white star, tangled and far" and a "tulip," which are both natural objects of great beauty and significance. The singer describes the subject as "warm and wise as a mute," suggesting a silent but powerful presence.


The second stanza continues the natural and mythological imagery, referring to "silver Satyrs" and "statues that say, worship the day." The third stanza adds a more dark and mystical element to the song, with references to "inky dreams" and the "white one" who "poems them into a rhyme." The final stanza brings the imagery full circle, with references to "vineyards spangled with love" and "twinkled eyes like a king" that suggest the triumph of beauty and the human spirit over time and darkness.


Overall, "Like a White Star Tangled and Far Tulip That's What You Are" is a beautiful and deeply symbolic song that celebrates the power and beauty of nature and the human spirit in equal measure.


Line by Line Meaning

At the birth of the day
At the beginning of a new day


As a babe of the spray
Like a newborn born from the water


Like a white star, tangled and far,
Shining brightly in the distance, but unattainable and complex


Tulip that's what you are.
You are beautiful and delicate, like a tulip


Warm and wise as a mute
Silent yet knowledgeable and comforting


In the thunderbolt suit
Standing strong in the face of chaos


Princely and torn, grasping the horn
Regal but damaged, holding onto power


Of the maenads of May.
From the wild and unrestrained spirits of May


Sleepy dreaming of dark
In a peaceful slumber, dreaming of the unknown


Silver Satyrs in parks
Mythical creatures roaming in the open


Statues that say, worship the day
Monuments encouraging one to appreciate life


For only humans you are.
Appreciating the beauty of life is a trait unique to humans


Channels churning the grime
Rivers moving pollution


Inky dreams of our time
Nightmares of our current era


Into the Sun, where the white one
Sending them towards purity and enlightenment


Poems them into a rhyme.
Transforming chaos into harmony


On a hill the clear shrill
A high-pitched sound echoing on a mountain


Made the Titans most ill
Causing great discomfort to the powerful beings


Angels abound, and
An abundance of heavenly beings present


I'm kissing the ground
Expressing gratitude and reverence for the world


Thrilled to be around
Excited to be alive and witness the beauty of existence


Vineyards spangled with love
Fields of grapes embodying passion and emotion


For the white dove above
For the symbol of peace flying overhead


Green and lean from the waste
Nature surviving and thriving despite destruction


Of the pastures of chaste
Amidst pure and untouched lands


Preciously he is whole.
Despite all obstacles, he remains pure and complete


Twinkled eyes like a king
Eyes shining brightly with power and authority


Charted seas on your skin
The map of one's life etched on their body like a shoreline


Like a White Star, tangled and far,
Shining brightly in the distance, but unattainable and complex


Tulip that's what you are.
You are beautiful and delicate, like a tulip




Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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