Shadow Blues
Veirs Laura Lyrics
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There's a shadow between you and me
I've learned that love is scared of light
Thousand seeds from a flower
Blowing through the night
Your blackened kiss on my cheek
Your blackened kiss runs river deep
Blue water from a pool
Up to the clouds I'll land
Though I am dark ‘bout the whys of wanting
Though I am dark, I'm still a child
Gonna dig a coal mine, climb down deep inside
Where my shadow's got one place to go
One place to hide…
In "Shadow Blues," Veirs Laura is using poetic language to convey feelings of darkness and loneliness in a relationship. She mentions a "shadow beneath the sea" and "shadow between you and me," which suggests a rift or divide in the relationship. The idea of love being "scared of light" implies that openness and vulnerability are not easily accepted or practiced in this relationship. The image of "thousand seeds from a flower blowing through the night" adds a sense of fragility and fleetingness.
The line "your blackened kiss on my cheek" is particularly striking because it speaks to the idea of something tainted or polluted in the relationship. The image of a "stranded fish" on the sand emphasizes the feeling of being helpless and stuck. However, there is a sense of resilience in the line "up to the clouds I'll land," which suggests a desire to rise above the darkness and find a new perspective. The final lines of the song talk about digging a coal mine and going deep inside where the shadow has "one place to go, one place to hide." This creates an interesting contrast to the beginning of the song where the shadow is "between you and me." The singer seems to be taking ownership of her own darkness and seeking a deeper understanding of it.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a shadow beneath the sea
There's something hidden deep beneath the surface that is unseen.
There's a shadow between you and me
There's a barrier or distance that exists between us.
I've learned that love is scared of light
Love is fragile and can be easily broken or hurt by reality.
Thousand seeds from a flower, Blowing through the night
Countless possibilities are floating in the air, waiting to be embraced or lost.
Your blackened kiss on my cheek
Your love or passion has left an indelible mark on me.
Your blackened kiss runs river deep
Your love is so deep that it feels like a powerful force of nature.
A stranded fish dear, I'm on the sand
I feel helpless and out of my element, unable to move or breathe.
Blue water from a pool, Up to the clouds I'll land
I'm dreaming of a surreal world where everything is beautiful, transcendent and in motion.
Though I am dark 'bout the whys of wanting
I'm confused, uncertain and hesitant about what I desire.
Though I am dark, I'm still a child
Despite my doubts and fears, I have a tender heart that needs love and care.
Gonna dig a coal mine, climb down deep inside, Where my shadow's got one place to go, One place to hide...
I'm going to explore my innermost thoughts and feelings, no matter how scary or uncomfortable they might be, and face my shadow self with courage and honesty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Laura Veirs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tara Kincaid
Probably one of her best ones. A true classic!
Ken Osama
i hear 2 people. you dont? sad story !
Anguinus
The song that made me a Laura Veirs fan. Beautifully dark.
Brighton Gordon
you made me curious so I went and checked it out but couldnt find anything, so thanks for that insight, man I love the background sound, like some weird windy sounding reverb, so creepy and awesome.
grosper
Great!
Brighton Gordon
@touristtrapezoid you think no? I am interested in your take on it, it definitely gave me the mining vibe