The Rising
The Boss Lyrics


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Can't see nothin' in front of me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me

Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile of line

Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
I was wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here

Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight

Lalala...

There's spirits above and behind me
Faces gone black, eyes burnin' bright
May their precious blood bind me
Lord, as I stand before your fiery light

Lalala...

I see you, Mary, in the garden
In the garden of a thousand sighs
There's holy pictures of our children
Dancin' in a sky filled with light

May I feel your arms around me
May I feel your blood mixed with mine
A dream of life comes to me
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of my line

Sky of blackness and sorrow (A dream of life)
Sky of love, sky of tears (A dream of life)
Sky of glory and sadness (A dream of life)
Sky of mercy, sky of fear (A dream of life)

Sky of memory and shadow (A dream of life)
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness (A dream of life)
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life

Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight





Lalala...

Overall Meaning

"The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen is a song about perseverance and hope in the face of darkness and tragedy, specifically in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist who is struggling to make it through the darkness, feeling a heavy burden upon them in the form of a chain that binds them and a 60-pound stone on their back. Despite the weight they carry, however, they continue to climb higher and push forward, driven by hope and the need to rise above the darkness that surrounds them.


The chorus brings a call to action, urging listeners to come together and lift each other up. The singer sings of wearing the cross of their calling, possibly indicating a sense of duty or responsibility to their beliefs or their community. The song shifts between themes of struggle and hope, darkness and light, and the notion of what it means to rise. On one hand, the rising can be seen as a symbolic gesture of overcoming obstacles and achieving growth. On the other hand, the rising can also refer to the ascent to the afterlife, as the song acknowledges the spirits above and behind the singer and a final vision of loved ones and a dream of life.


The song's themes of strength in community, the power of hope, and the ability to rise in the face of tragedy resonated deeply with many Americans following the 9/11 attacks, and the song became an anthem for the country in the years that followed. In addition to its cultural significance, the song showcases Springsteen's powerful vocals and poignant songwriting style.


Line by Line Meaning

Can't see nothin' in front of me
I am lost and have no clear direction to follow.


Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I am in unfamiliar territory and unsure of what's coming up from behind.


I make my way through this darkness
Despite my fear, I am moving forward through the darkness.


I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
I am weighed down by a heavy burden or responsibility that I cannot escape.


Lost track of how far I've gone
I have been on this journey for so long that I can no longer keep track of time and distance traveled.


How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
I have faced many challenges and overcome great obstacles throughout my journey.


On my back's a sixty pound stone
My burden is heavy and feels like a weight that I must carry at all times.


On my shoulder a half mile of line
My responsibilities stretch out far in front of me, and I must carry them all the way to the end.


Come on up for the rising
I am calling out for help and urging others to join me in moving forward.


Come on up, lay your hands in mine
I am reaching out for support and asking others to join me in this journey.


Left the house this morning
I am beginning a new day or phase in my journey.


Bells ringing filled the air
There is a sense of urgency and importance in the work that I am doing.


I was wearin' the cross of my calling
I am devoted to a higher purpose or calling that guides my actions and decisions.


On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here
I am moving forward with great passion and energy.


There's spirits above and behind me
There are forces at work around me that I cannot see or fully understand, but I sense their presence.


Faces gone black, eyes burnin' bright
The spirits around me are powerful and intense, with a menacing quality.


May their precious blood bind me
I am asking for protection and guidance from these spirits as I move forward on my journey.


Lord, as I stand before your fiery light
I am approaching a moment of great reckoning, where I will be judged for the choices I have made on my journey.


I see you, Mary, in the garden
I am calling out to a loved one for comfort and support.


In the garden of a thousand sighs
This loved one is in a place of great sadness and struggle, but I still seek their help.


There's holy pictures of our children
I am reminded of the people that I am fighting for and the importance of the work that I am doing.


Dancin' in a sky filled with light
My loved ones are free from the burdens and struggles of life, and are at peace in the afterlife.


May I feel your arms around me
I am asking for comfort and support from my loved one as I continue on my journey.


May I feel your blood mixed with mine
I am seeking a deep and meaningful connection with my loved one that transcends time and space.


A dream of life comes to me
I am filled with hope and optimism for the future, despite the hardships I have endured.


Like a catfish dancin' on the end of my line
I am in control of my destiny and am moving forward with great purpose.


Sky of blackness and sorrow (A dream of life)
I have experienced great pain and suffering, but still hold onto the hope of a better future.


Sky of love, sky of tears (A dream of life)
My journey has been filled with both joy and sorrow, but I remain committed to moving forward.


Sky of glory and sadness (A dream of life)
My work and my journey have significant importance, but they also come with great difficulty and sacrifice.


Sky of mercy, sky of fear (A dream of life)
I am constantly navigating the balance between hope and fear, mercy and justice, in order to find a path forward.


Sky of memory and shadow (A dream of life)
There are moments from the past that continue to shape my present and guide my future.


Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
I am being carried forward with great force and determination, even in the face of adversity.


Sky of longing and emptiness (A dream of life)
Despite my progress and accomplishments, there is still a sense of yearning and incompleteness in my journey.


Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life
I am close to achieving my goals and realizing the full potential of my journey.


Come on up for the rising
I am urging others to join me in this moment of triumph and celebration.


Lalala...
These moments of reflection and introspection are essential to my journey, and help me move forward with clarity and purpose.




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