Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Across The Bridge Where Angels Dwell
Van Morrison Lyrics
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Across the bridge where angels
Across the bridge where angels dwell
Children play
Beyond the place where time is still
Beyond the place where time is
Beyond the place where time is still
Close your eyes in fields of wonder
Close your eyes and dream
Close your eyes in fields of wonder
Close your eyes and dream
Along the path where heaven lies
Along the path where heaven
Along the path where heaven lies
All is clear
Ahead where home awaits the heart
Ahead where home is waiting
Ahead where home awaits the heart
Peace is near
Close your eyes in fields of wonder
Close your eyes and dream
Close your eyes in fields of wonder
Close your eyes and dream
Across the bridge where angels dwell
Across the bridge where angels
Across the bridge where angels dwell
Children play
This song speaks of a journey across a bridge where angels dwell, where time stands still and day and night are interchangeable. It is a path to a higher realm, where heaven awaits and peace is near. Children play on this bridge, suggesting an innocence and purity associated with the divine.
The repeated refrain, "Close your eyes in fields of wonder, close your eyes and dream" invites the listener to immerse themselves fully and trust in the journey. The idea of closing one's eyes implies letting go of the physical and embracing the spiritual.
The use of metaphors and imagery creates a sense of mystery and wonder, as if the singer is hinting at something beyond what can be expressed in words. The bridge represents a threshold between the mundane and the transcendent, where the listener is encouraged to take the leap of faith and enter into a new realm.
Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of hope, faith, and the pursuit of something greater than oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Across the bridge where angels dwell
Describing an idyllic and idealized place where angels reside
Across the bridge where angels
A continuation of the description of the place which is only accessible by crossing this bridge
Across the bridge where angels dwell
Reiterating the idea of this peaceful and celestial location
Children play
Suggesting that this idyllic place is one of childlike innocence and freedom
Beyond the place where time is still
Referring to a place that exists beyond our temporal reality where time doesn't have the same constraints or meaning
Beyond the place where time is
Similar to the previous line, indicating an elusive location where time doesn't rule as it does in our physical world
Beyond the place where time is still
Reaffirming the earlier description of this enigmatic location
Night is day
Conveys that the conventional notions and realities of time that we're familiar with have no bearing in this otherworldly place
Close your eyes in fields of wonder
Using the metaphor of closing one's eyes to suggest an internal state of wonder and awe
Close your eyes and dream
An invitation to let go of the physical world and enter into another plane of consciousness
Close your eyes in fields of wonder
A repetition of the earlier line to emphasize this internal, imaginative state of being
Close your eyes and dream
Reiterating the invitation to disengage from reality and enter into a realm of the subconscious
Along the path where heaven lies
Referring to a path that leads to heaven
Along the path where heaven
Continuing to describe this ethereal pathway
Along the path where heaven lies
A reaffirmation of the idea of the heavenly path
All is clear
Suggesting that this pathway is unobstructed and easy to navigate
Ahead where home awaits the heart
Describing a destination that feels like a comforting and welcoming home
Ahead where home is waiting
A more direct statement about this peaceful and welcoming destination
Ahead where home awaits the heart
Reiterating that this is a place that will feel like home to the soul
Peace is near
Indicating that this destination is one of tranquility and harmony
Across the bridge where angels dwell
A final repetition of the opening lines to end the song on this image of a celestial and peaceful location
Across the bridge where angels
Reiterating that this idealized place is only accessible through this special bridge
Across the bridge where angels dwell
Ending on this idea of the otherworldly realm of angels
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: HUGH DERMOT MURPHY, VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind