Sirens
The Gray Havens Lyrics
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You once were full and sang of grace
Hold on
One taste of the sound
From the sirens in the water
And I'm thinking I should get out
The sharpest sword and suit of armor
But I pause, one more time
One last taste of the sound
Then I'll cut these sirens down
But as they sang, I forgot
They were death, so I brought them my heart
To be filled, and I followed them
No trace could I find
Of any joy the sirens promised
They had found a way with a lie
To turn what's good and should be wanted
Into what is highest above all desires and loves
Til my heart would obey
Whatever it wants whatever it takes
To feel alive and set free
Only bound to the sea
Where the sirens are leading me on
Hold on
Hold on, my heart
You once were full and sang of grace
Hold on
Hold on, my heart
You've tasted joy that's more than this
Hold on
Hold on, my heart
You once were full and sang of grace
Hold on
Hold on, my heart
You've tasted joy that's more than this
Hold on
These lyrics are from the song "Sirens" by The Gray Havens. The song is about temptation and the dangers of giving in to it. The singer is on a journey and is lured by the sirens' song, which is known for being sweet and captivating. The singer tells their heart to hold on tight and resist the temptation of the sirens.
The first stanza speaks of the heart that was once full and sang of grace. There's an implication that something has changed, and that the heart is no longer full. The second verse talks about the singer's temptation to give in to the sirens' song. They feel that they should get out and strike with the sharpest sword and suit of armor. However, they take one more taste of the sound and forget that the sirens were deathly, and they gave their heart to them. The singer realizes that they've been misled by the sirens' lies, and that they've lost their joy and desire for what is good.
The chorus tells their heart to hold on, reminding them that they once tasted joy that's more than what the sirens can offer. The final line of the song, "Only bound to the sea, where the sirens are leading me on," suggests that the singer is still in the grips of temptation, and that they're not sure if they have the strength to resist the sirens' call.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold on my heart
Take a moment to steady yourself, dear heart
You once were full and sang of grace
You used to be content and peaceful, understanding the beauty of life
One taste of the sound
Just a single moment hearing the alluring song of the sirens
From the sirens in the water
Whose voices echo across the waves
And I'm thinking I should get out
I realize the danger of their call and consider leaving
The sharpest sword and suit of armor
I think about the defenses I could use to protect myself
So I can be ready to strike
To fight back against the dangerous and tempting sirens
But I pause, one more time
I hesitate, even though I know what I should do
One last taste of the sound
I'm drawn in one final time by the seductive call of the sirens
Then I'll cut these sirens down
I'll do what needs to be done and eliminate the source of this danger
But as they sang, I forgot
I lose myself amid the haunting and beautiful melodies of the sirens
They were death, so I brought them my heart
The sirens are ultimately deadly, but in my misguided desire I give them my heart anyway
To be filled, and I followed them
I followed their song, letting it consume and guide me
No trace could I find
Despite their promises, I couldn't find the joy I sought
Of any joy the sirens promised
The happiness the sirens sang of was ultimately empty and unfulfilling
They had found a way with a lie
The sirens' call was built on a deceitful foundation
To turn what's good and should be wanted
The sirens twisted positive desires into a dangerous trap
Into what is highest above all desires and loves
Their song became the most important thing in my life, surpassing all else
Til my heart would obey
I had lost control of my heart and was entranced by their music
Whatever it wants whatever it takes
I would do anything to satiate my heart's desires, no matter the cost
To feel alive and set free
I believed the sirens would free me, letting me live fully once more
Only bound to the sea
But it was ultimately a trap as I was bound to the sirens' call and the sea where they dwelled
Where the sirens are leading me on
The sirens will always be there, leading me astray if I let them
You've tasted joy that's more than this
But there is still hope, as there is a greater and truer happiness to be found
Hold on
Hold on to that memory of grace and longing for true joy
Hold on, my heart
Don't let go of your hope and desire for something more
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Xxhn
Hold on my heart
You once were full and sang of grace
Hold on
One taste of the sound
From the sirens in the water
And I'm thinking I should get out
The sharpest sword and suit of armor
So I can be ready to strike
But I pause, one more time
One last taste of the sound
Then I'll cut these sirens down
But as they sang, I forgot
They were death, so I brought them my heart
To be filled, and I followed them
No trace could I find
Of any joy the sirens promised
They had found a way with a lie
To turn what's good and should be wanted
Into what is highest above all desires and loves
Til my heart would obey
Whatever it wants whatever it takes
To feel alive and set free
Only bound to the sea
Where the sirens are leading me on
Hold on
Hold on, my heart
You once were full and sang of grace
Hold on
Hold on, my heart
You've tasted joy that's more than this
Hold on
Hold on, my heart
You once were full and sang of grace
Hold on
Hold on, my heart
You've tasted joy that's more than this
Hold on
Bedihamback
I needed this song as my confession to God. It describes exactly where I have been. I love your music, it has meant so much to me in darkness.
g3dr0cht
Bedihamback how are things going now?
Scribblore
This is breathtaking. I'm not sure how to describe it.. the song has already meant a lot to me, and these images fit so perfectly and enforce the story so well.
Ethan Ivy
How is this song not already famous. Really, this song is absolutely fantastic and so life like. I have never heard a song like this and I love it!!!
G M
Wow this band is so amazing. Musically so talented. Unlike a lot of music nowadays. God led me to them, thank you Jesus. Gray Havens, He has His hands on y’all!!
Ashtan Chaney
When I listen to this I just see a good Christian is so prepared to fight sin, but it looks so good so he decides to get just a little taste. His little taste becomes his addiction that he can't escape. But then God speaks through his sin and asks him to hold on to the true joy that only lives in Him. I think we all have that sin in our lives that calls to us and just looks so good but we need to fix our eyes on God and know that our hope and our true happiness comes from him alone!
Ethan H
So much truth and insight in this comment. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.
Tyler Borntraeger
I was deeply convicted by this song, I agree with this. You know the good you ought to do but still slide down the slippery slope of whatever it wants, whatever it takes to feel alive. Also, The Gray Havens are probably my favorite artist now!
Kaylee
Amen I’m struggling with that very thing!
Ananias Waters
This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard in my life! The singing, instrumentation, and visual art are so authentic and pure. It's like each time I listen to this song, it has a freshness to it that is indescribable. Keep doing God's work guys!!!! 😊❤