Night Vision
Vega Suzanne Lyrics
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By night beware
Half the world in sweetness
The other in fear
When the darkness takes you
With her hand across your face
Don't give in too quickly
Find the line, find the shape
Through the grain
Find the outline, things will
Tell you their name
The table. the guitar
The empty glass
All will blend together when
Daylight has passed
Find the line, find the shape
Through the grain
Find the outline, things will
Tell you their name
Now I watch you falling into sleep
Watch your fist curl against the sheet
Watch your lips fall open and your eyes dim
In blind faith
I would shelter you
Keep you in light
But I can only teach you
Night vision
Night vision
Night vision
The song is a meditation on the duality of life and the human experience. Vega Suzanne urges listeners to give thanks during the day and to be wary at night - a time when we are more vulnerable and susceptible to negative thoughts and experiences. She presents the idea that half the world is filled with sweetness, while the other half is filled with fear. It’s important not to give in too quickly to the darkness, but rather to find the thing it has erased. This can mean searching for clarity and meaning in the midst of confusion and uncertainty.
The second verse talks about finding the line, shape and outline through the grain. This can be interpreted as finding clarity and order in the midst of chaos. The table, the guitar and the empty glass all blend together in darkness but can be defined and named in the light. The final verse talks about watching someone fall asleep and being unable to shield them from the darkness. Instead, Vega Suzanne offers to teach the concept of night vision - the ability to see beyond the darkness and find meaning in the midst of difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
By day give thanks
Show gratitude during the day
By night beware
Be cautious and wary during the night
Half the world in sweetness
Half of the world is filled with pleasant things
The other in fear
The other half is filled with frightening things
When the darkness takes you
When you are enveloped by darkness
With her hand across your face
As darkness covers you
Don't give in too quickly
Do not succumb immediately
Find the thing she's erased
Discover what has been concealed by the darkness
Find the line, find the shape
Locate the boundaries and form of what you seek
Through the grain
Despite the obstacles in your way
Find the outline, things will
As you identify the structure of things
Tell you their name
Their nature will become apparent
The table. the guitar
The items around you
The empty glass
The objects without purpose
All will blend together when
Everything will merge into one as
Daylight has passed
The day transitions into night
Now I watch you falling into sleep
I observe you dozing off
Watch your fist curl against the sheet
See your hand forming a fist against the bedding
Watch your lips fall open and your eyes dim
Notice your mouth relaxing and your eyes closing
In blind faith
With complete trust and without reservation
I would shelter you
I desire to protect you
Keep you in light
Prevent you from experiencing darkness
But I can only teach you
However, all I can do is instruct you
Night vision
The ability to see in the dark
Night vision
The skill of perceiving in low-light environments
Night vision
The aptitude for comprehending the obscured
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTON SANKO, SUZANNE VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind