The Wishing Well evoke an extraordinary gamut of emotions with their compelling and awe- inspiring arrangements spun around magnificently poetic lyrics. A cacophony of three part harmonies, wistful violin and majestic rhythms all melded to lead singer Jai Larkan’s achingly strong and haunting vocals.
Masquerade
The Wishing Well Lyrics
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Shadows moving in the subway of your soul
Echoed voices from long ago
Could be angels
Could be devils
All the words falling from your heart
Can’t decide where you ought to start
All the fires are burning low
As I stand alone in this afterglow
I feel lost in a million ways
I have no mask for the masquerade
We took the road winding to the top
Set the scene with heavy hearted loss
There we lay suspended in a state of anguish
All the while you were talking in your sleep
Telling me secrets best to keep
I prayed the sound of your own cries would wake you
And make you come alive
All the fires are burning low
As I stand alone in this afterglow
I feel lost in a million ways
I have no mask for the masquerade
Falling down
Set adrift
Out into the world
You come round
To my rescue
When I was just a boy
All the fires are burning bright
As I dance alone in this endless night
I feel alive in every way
I have no mask for the masquerade
The Wishing Well's song Masquerade speaks of the complexity of human emotions and how our past can influence our present. The first verse, "Far below the reaches of your mind/Shadows moving in the subway of your soul/Echoed voices from long ago/Could be angels / Could be devils" portrays the inner workings of the mind, where our fears and desires often overlap. The echoes from the past can either guide or misguide us, leading to a sort of internal struggle - should we give in to the angelic voices or ignore the devils?
The chorus, "I feel lost in a million ways/I have no mask for the masquerade" speaks of the confusion that one feels when faced with difficult decisions. It's as if they're lost in a world of pretense, where everyone is wearing masks to hide their true intentions. In such a world, the singer feels alone and vulnerable, with no mask to protect them.
The second verse is possibly about a relationship, where one partner is struggling with their emotions while the other tries to understand and support them. The line "We took the road winding to the top/Set the scene with heavy-hearted loss" suggests that they had to go through some sort of difficult journey together, which has left them both feeling drained.
Overall, Masquerade is a song about the various masks we wear to protect ourselves and how the past can influence our present. The imagery used in the lyrics is particularly powerful, painting a picture of a world that's both confusing and uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Far below the reaches of your mind
Deep within your subconscious, where even you may not be fully aware
Shadows moving in the subway of your soul
Unseen forces that shift and change within your innermost being
Echoed voices from long ago
Faint whispers of memories and experiences past that still have an impact on you
Could be angels
These voices could be ones of positivity and guidance
Could be devils
Or they could be ones that bring negativity and chaos
All the words falling from your heart
The thoughts and emotions that you struggle to articulate
Can’t decide where you ought to start
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to begin expressing yourself
Embers rising into black as you ask me,“Is it right ?”
Doubting your own instincts and wondering if your feelings are valid
All the fires are burning low
Your passion and motivation have dwindled
As I stand alone in this afterglow
As an observer, I can see the aftermath of your emotional struggles
I feel lost in a million ways
Feeling hopeless and directionless on multiple levels
I have no mask for the masquerade
You cannot hide your true self, regardless of any social facade you may try to put on
We took the road winding to the top
Together, we embarked on a journey that was challenging and required effort to reach a goal
Set the scene with heavy hearted loss
Despite our progress, we were still weighed down by feelings of sadness and disappointment
There we lay suspended in a state of anguish
At a certain point, we became stuck in our negative emotions and unable to move forward
All the while you were talking in your sleep
Even while unconscious, your mind was still grappling with unresolved issues
Telling me secrets best to keep
Revealing hidden thoughts and feelings that are personal and not to be shared
I prayed the sound of your own cries would wake you
Hoping that by acknowledging and experiencing your pain, you would be able to move past it
And make you come alive
To find a renewed sense of energy and passion for life
Falling down
Experiencing a setback or disappointment
Set adrift
Feeling untethered and directionless
Out into the world
Navigating a harsh and uncertain world on your own
You come round
Finding support and guidance in someone else
To my rescue
This person helps you in a time of need and difficulty
When I was just a boy
This support goes back a long way, to a time when you were still very young and vulnerable
All the fires are burning bright
Your passion and enthusiasm have been reignited
As I dance alone in this endless night
You are able to revel in your newfound feeling of aliveness and happiness, even if you are still alone
I feel alive in every way
Feeling a deep sense of vitality and purpose
I have no mask for the masquerade
You do not feel the need to hide who you truly are anymore
Contributed by Leah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
krista1931
I wish I were there to hear this great band and to see them on a real stage :O)