Waltzing
The Cranberries Lyrics


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Who gave them the right
Waltzing back into your life?
Your life, your life?
Now I feel fear
I wish that they'd never come here
Here, here

What they gonna do?
What they gonna say
Taking you away
From my life?
My life, my life?

Say, what they gonna do?
What they gonna say
Taking you away
From my life?
My life, my life?

Who gave them the right
Turning it back into light
Tonight, tonight?
And then I felt fear
I wished that they'd never come here
Here, here

What they gonna do?
What they gonna say
Taking you away
From my life?
My life, my life?

Oh, I don't wanna line
I wanna shine
I wanna say
'Cause it's your life
Your life, your life

La...
La...
La...

Who gave them the right?
The right?
The right?
Who gave them the right?
The right?
The right?
Who gave them the right?
The right?
The right?
Who gave them the right?




The right?
The right?

Overall Meaning

The Cranberries' song Waltzing is all about the fear and uncertainty that can come from someone re-entering your life unexpectedly. The lyrics convey a sense of protectiveness over one's own life and relationships, and the fear that an outside force may come in and disrupt them. The repetition of the lines "What they gonna do? What they gonna say? Taking you away from my life?" emphasizes the sense of powerlessness and insecurity, as if the singer is pleading for someone to reassure them that everything will be okay.


The use of the word "waltzing" in the title and throughout the lyrics adds an interesting layer of metaphor to the song as well. Waltzing can be a graceful and romantic dance, but it also involves stepping in time with someone else and relinquishing control to some extent. In the context of the song, this could symbolize the singer feeling as though someone else is waltzing in and taking control of their life, or perhaps disrupting the rhythm of their relationships.


Overall, Waltzing is a powerful and emotional song that delves into themes of fear, protectiveness, and uncertainty. The Cranberries' use of repetition, metaphor, and evocative language make it a memorable and effective piece of music.


Line by Line Meaning

Who gave them the right
Questioning the authority allowing someone to return into your life


Waltzing back into your life?
Re-entering one's life as if nothing ever happened


Your life, your life?
Emphasizing that it's one's own life that is being affected


Now I feel fear
Expressing the emotion of fear due to the uncertain situation


I wish that they'd never come here
Regretting their return and wishing that they stayed away


What they gonna do?
Questioning the actions of those who came back


What they gonna say
Questioning the words spoken by those who returned


Taking you away
Referring to the possibility of being taken away from one's life


From my life? My life, my life?
Reiterating the personal impact of the situation


Say, what they gonna do?
Repeating the question to emphasize the uncertainty


Oh, I don't wanna line
Not wanting to conform to expectations


I wanna shine
Wanting to stand out and be successful


'Cause it's your life Your life, your life
Reiterating that one's life is important and should be protected


Who gave them the right?
Questioning the authority once again


Turning it back into light Tonight, tonight?
Referring to something that was once negative and potentially turning it into something positive


La...
Repeating a sound or tune to end the song




Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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