Kaleidoscope
The Mulligan Brothers Lyrics


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Was a long night turned into a long day back into a long night left to go
My worries were as many and as bright and as broken as the reflectors in the middle of the road.
I guess I became a danger and all my friends became strangers,
I was feeling as cold and as alone.
As a new lovers hell and I can already tell that I wasnt going home.
No, I aint going home
Cause I... want to feel.
Like something God made.
Even if it hurts sometime
And I... want to live
and die the long way.
Even if its hard sometime.
I'm sitting in a heartache and looking at kalediscopes
Peeping through the bottom of my glass
I'm plenty old to drink but still pretty young to think
that my future might be shorter than my past.
Theres a new light chasing off the moonlight making way for those with someplace to go
Their gonna close the doors after one more song
but I aint going home
no I aint going home.
Cause I... want to feel.
Like something God made.
Even if it hurts sometime
And I... want to live
and die the long way.
Even if its hard sometime.
God send me a radio, send me a song
That will send me far away, send me back home.
Give me a reason, give me a way
Bring me tomorrow and wash away today
Give me everything I want
Give me everything I need
Give me all the means... to believe
Cause I... want to feel.
Like something God made.
Even if it hurts sometime
And I... want to live




and die the long way.
Even if its hard sometime.

Overall Meaning

The Mulligan Brothers' song Kaleidoscope is a bluesy ballad that speaks to the feeling of being lost, lonely and disconnected from the world around you. The lyrics speak of a long night that turns into a long day and then back into a long night, leaving the singer feeling tired and broken. He reflects on his worries, which he compares to the reflectors in the middle of the road; bright, numerous and broken. Despite the company of his friends, he feels like a danger, feeling isolated and cold, like a new lovers' hell.


The singer then transitions to a chorus that speaks to his desire to feel alive, and to experience life to its fullest, even if it hurts sometimes. He then goes on to describe himself sitting in a heartache, looking through kaleidoscopes at the bottom of his glass, questioning his future and feeling like time is running out. Despite the impending close of the bar, he declares that he is not going home.


In the end, he sends a prayer to God, asking for a radio, a song that will send him far away or back home, and to give him a reason, a way to believe and everything he wants and needs. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the singer's commitment to living life to its fullest, even if it's hard sometimes. The song delivers a powerful message about the struggle of living and coping with disappointment, self-doubt, and the search for meaning in life.


Line by Line Meaning

Was a long night turned into a long day back into a long night left to go
After a long night, day came and went, but it soon became another long night that will still continue.


My worries were as many and as bright and as broken as the reflectors in the middle of the road.
The worries were numerous, intense, and fragmented, just like the reflectors on the road.


I guess I became a danger and all my friends became strangers, I was feeling as cold and as alone.
The singer turned into a threat, and even friends became unfamiliar due to overwhelming isolation and apathy.


As a new lovers hell and I can already tell that I wasnt going home.
It felt like a fresh kind of misery, and it was evident that the artist wouldn't find solace at home.


Cause I... want to feel. Like something God made. Even if it hurts sometime And I... want to live and die the long way. Even if its hard sometime.
The artist longs for a genuine sense of purpose and fulfillment, even if it means experiencing pain along the way.


I'm sitting in a heartache and looking at kalediscopes Peeping through the bottom of my glass I'm plenty old to drink but still pretty young to think that my future might be shorter than my past.
The singer is feeling deep heartbreak while aimlessly losing oneself in drinking, knowing full well that their time may be running out.


Theres a new light chasing off the moonlight making way for those with someplace to go Their gonna close the doors after one more song but I aint going home no I aint going home.
As the dawn approaches, people with a destination are emerging, and the singer refuses to give in to the temptation to return home.


God send me a radio, send me a song That will send me far away, send me back home. Give me a reason, give me a way Bring me tomorrow and wash away today Give me everything I want Give me everything I need Give me all the means... to believe
The artist pleads with God for even the slightest hint of inspiration, longing for a sense of purpose to carry through to another day.


Cause I... want to feel. Like something God made. Even if it hurts sometime And I... want to live and die the long way. Even if its hard sometime.
The song concludes on a repeat of the chorus, emphasizing the drive to find fulfillment and purpose even through hardship.




Contributed by Jonathan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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