Hieroglyphs
The Oh Hellos Lyrics
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Praying the serpent's underneath one of them
Like there's some villain left to defeat
Instead of a dance with a rhythm and beat
'Cause you've been too busy thinking ahead
Of where we're all going after we're dead
To maybe consider our bodies are worth
To the ground again
We turn that old wheel round again
Well, even the great celestial hieroglyphs
Are bodies of dust illuminated, and if
The heavens can be both sacred and dust
Oh, maybe so can the rest of us
'Cause I've seen the line of ocean and shore
The tumbling tide of water and soil
And I've seen the day's fading begin
The gradient wake of the sun that spins
Around again
It'll burn that old wheel down in the end
The Oh Hellos in their song "Hieroglyphs," are critiquing the attitude of a person who, instead of enjoying life's rhythm and beat, is stamping their heels, as if there is a villain left to defeat. The person's fervent praying is to keep away the serpent, perhaps symbolizing evil or negativity, even though the dance that they are supposed to be taking part in has a rhythm and beat. The song suggests that instead of thinking of what happens after death, people should focus on the present and realize that their bodies are more valuable than just mere dust.
The song uses the metaphor of a wheel turning in a circle, implying that humans are not separate from nature, and that they will return back to the ground, thus completing the circle. However, even the great celestial hieroglyphs that include the stars and planets are just bodies of dust illuminated, indicating that humans need to realize that they are made of dust as well. If the heavens can be both sacred and dust, then there is no reason why humans can't be treated in the same way. The lyrics of the song highlight the beauty of nature, such as the line of ocean and shore and the tumbling tide, and emphasize the temporary nature of everything, including the fading of the day and the spinning of the sun.
Line by Line Meaning
Stamping your heels along with the drum
You dance to the beat of the drum, hoping that by stomping your feet, you can conquer the dangers you fear.
Praying the serpent's underneath one of them
You fear the serpent lurking beneath the surface, waiting to strike at any chance it gets.
Like there's some villain left to defeat
You believe that there's an enemy that you need to conquer in order to win the battle.
Instead of a dance with a rhythm and beat
You could just let go and dance to the music, losing yourself in the pleasure of the moment.
'Cause you've been too busy thinking ahead
Your mind is always focused on the future, forgetting to enjoy the present moment.
Of where we're all going after we're dead
Your mind is preoccupied with the afterlife, forgetting the value of living in the present.
To maybe consider our bodies are worth
You often forget to appreciate the value of your body and the importance of its role in your life.
More than the dust that we can return
You forget that one day, your body will return to the dust, and all that will remain are memories of the life you lived.
To the ground again
In the end, we all return to the earth, and our bodies become part of the natural cycle of life.
We turn that old wheel round again
The cycle of life continues, and we are just a small part of a much larger picture.
Well, even the great celestial hieroglyphs
Even the wonders of the universe, like the stars and galaxies, are made of dust and are a part of the natural cycle of life.
Are bodies of dust illuminated, and if
The celestial bodies that we admire are shining brightly, but they are still composed of the same elements as we are, and will eventually return to the dust.
The heavens can be both sacred and dust
Even the most holy and divine things in the universe are still made of dust and are subject to the natural laws of life.
Oh, maybe so can the rest of us
Perhaps we can also be both sacred and dust, and still maintain our connection to the natural world that created us.
'Cause I've seen the line of ocean and shore
The boundary between land and sea is a natural marker that shows the interconnectivity of all things in the natural world.
The tumbling tide of water and soil
The ebb and flow of the tide is a reminder that all things in nature are constantly changing and evolving.
And I've seen the day's fading begin
The sunset is a reminder that all things must come to an end, but it also brings the hope of a new day.
The gradient wake of the sun that spins
As the sun sets, it leaves an aftermath of beautiful colors and patterns, a reminder of the beauty that can be found in the midst of change.
Around again
The cycle of life continues, and every ending is also a new beginning.
It'll burn that old wheel down in the end
In the end, everything must come to an end, but this ending also brings the promise of a new beginning.
Writer(s): HANNAH MARGARET HEATH, WILLIAM TYLER HEATH
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.