Edge Of The Night
The Pretty Things Lyrics


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I saw the canopies, beneath the buildings discreet
The hour's late and not a soul on the street,
As I stood alone there, at the edge of the night.

With all your wisdom, you had gone to bed early
I hesitated and just think what it cost me
Just like a victim in the sights it doesn't feel right
At the edge of the night.
I had the backbone but then, I heard it cracking.
I faced the terror but I found myself lacking
What good is courage here, at the edge of the night.

At the edge of the night.
There was this man,
Gun in his hand,
That wanted to waste me
My mouth became dry,
I reached for the sky,
The sight seemed to freeze me
He said he'd been a hero,
Now he'd fallen down to zero
Ain't it a crime

Whooo
I handed over all I had on my person
My Bank America card and this was my first one
Then he just stepped right out of sight, at the edge of the night





At the edge of the night.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Pretty Things's song Edge Of The Night describe an experience in which the singer finds himself in a situation of vulnerability and fear, at the edge of the night, a time and space where danger and mystery reign. As he stands alone in the deserted streets, he realizes that his courage is failing him and that he is unable to face the threat that approaches. He remembers with regret the advice of a wise person who had warned him of the dangers of the night but he ignored it, paying a high price. Suddenly, a man with a gun appears and demands his belongings. The singer, feeling his backbone cracking, hands over everything he has, realizing that there is no use for courage at the edge of the night.


The song seems to be a warning against the dangers of ignoring the potential risks that come with taking nighttime risks, both literal and metaphorical. The lyrics speak to the feeling of vulnerability and powerlessness that comes with a lack of preparation, and how it can leave one open to being taken advantage of or harmed. The singer's experience stands as a representation of the many dangers that can be encountered in the nighttime.


Line by Line Meaning

I saw the canopies, beneath the buildings discreet
I noticed the small shelters under the unobtrusive buildings.


The hour's late and not a soul on the street,
It was very late at night and there was nobody on the street.


As I stood alone there, at the edge of the night.
I was standing by myself, right on the border between night and day.


With all your wisdom, you had gone to bed early
Despite your knowledge, you had decided to go to sleep early.


I hesitated and just think what it cost me
I paused for a moment, and I realized the great loss I suffered because of it.


Just like a victim in the sights it doesn't feel right
I felt like I was targeted as a victim, and it did not feel just.


I had the backbone but then, I heard it cracking.
I was brave, but then I felt my courage falter.


I faced the terror but I found myself lacking
I confronted the fear, but I discovered that I was not prepared.


What good is courage here, at the edge of the night.
In this situation, being brave doesn't seem to be very useful.


There was this man, Gun in his hand, That wanted to waste me
A man was pointing a gun at me, intending to kill me.


My mouth became dry, I reached for the sky, The sight seemed to freeze me
I became nervous and raised my hands, and everything appeared to become still.


He said he'd been a hero, Now he'd fallen down to zero, Ain't it a crime
He claimed to have been a hero before, but now his life was worthless. Isn't that a tragedy?


I handed over all I had on my person
I gave the robber everything that was in my pockets.


My Bank America card and this was my first one
In my wallet was my first Bank of America card.


Then he just stepped right out of sight, at the edge of the night
After that, the criminal vanished into the darkness, right on the edge between daytime and nighttime.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN EDWARD WALLER, PHILIP MAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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