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Reflections
Woman's Hour Lyrics
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In the shadow
Of my mind
A memory
Your reflection
From a distance
Here your call
Out of reach
Staring into the stillness of your cry
I can feel your burning eyes seeping through
All the walls of my mind like a snake
But, I know that I'm dreaming
Stranger you seem
So familiar
Delicate
Troubled eyes
Sister you seem
Heavy hearted
Whispering
Partly dead
Staring into the stillness of your cry
I can feel the burning of your eyes seeping through
All the walls of my mind like a snake
But, I know that I'm dreaming
I know that my dreaming goes nowhere
I know that I'm dreaming
I know that my dreaming goes nowhere
I know that I'm dreaming
I know that my dreaming goes nowhere
I know that I'm dreaming
I know that my dreaming goes nowhere
I know that I'm dreaming
In "Reflections," Woman's Hour singer Fiona Burgess seems to be haunted by a past love or memory. In the opening lines, she refers to a moment that exists in the shadow of her mind, which suggests a memory or thought that sits just beyond her consciousness. This moment seems to be prompted by seeing the reflection of the person in question from a distance, yet is still out of reach. The stillness and quietness of her cry indicate that this is a painful memory or longing that she has been carrying for quite some time.
As the song progresses, Burgess continues to describe the person she sees in her mind's eye. They seem familiar but are also a stranger, with delicate and troubled eyes. The use of the word "sister" could be a reference to a kinship or closeness that she felt with this person, but also implies a heaviness or burden they shared. The repetition of "I know that I'm dreaming" at the end of each verse suggests that this memory or vision is not a reality, but rather a haunting dream.
Overall, "Reflections" is a haunting and introspective song that explores the nature of memory and longing. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is haunted by a past love or experience, and is struggling to make sense of it. The use of repetition and imagery create a sense of unease and mystery, leaving the listener with a sense of longing and unresolved emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a moment
There is a specific moment in time that is being referenced.
In the shadow
This moment is shrouded in secrecy and not openly discussed.
Of my mind
The moment is hidden away in the singer's thoughts and memories.
A memory
The moment is something that happened in the past and is now only remembered.
Your reflection
The artist is remembering or perhaps seeing a image of someone that is important to them.
From a distance
The singer is not close to the person they are remembering/seeing.
Here your call
The singer can hear the person calling out to them, possibly metaphorically.
Out of reach
Even though they hear the call, the artist is unable to reach the person due to physical distance or other barriers.
Staring into the stillness of your cry
The artist is intensely focused on the sadness or pain they perceive in the person they are remembering/seeing.
I can feel your burning eyes seeping through
The emotion the person is displaying is so strong that the artist feels like they can see it in their eyes.
All the walls of my mind like a snake
The memory/presence of this person is infiltrating the singer's thoughts and emotions like a snake slithering in.
But, I know that I'm dreaming
The artist is aware that this memory or vision is not happening in reality, but only in their mind.
Stranger you seem
The singer is now addressing the person they are dreaming about, acknowledging that they are not present in real life.
So familiar
Even though they are a stranger in reality, the singer feels a strong connection or familiarity to this person.
Delicate
The person is vulnerable and gentle, maybe even fragile.
Troubled eyes
Their eyes show pain or distress.
Sister you seem
The artist is now using the familiar term 'sister,' implying a familial or close bond despite the person being a stranger in real life.
Heavy hearted
The person is weighed down with sadness or other emotional turmoil.
Whispering
The person is talking quietly or clandestinely.
Partly dead
The person seems almost lifeless, with only a small part of them remaining alive and active.
I know that my dreaming goes nowhere
The artist is aware that these dreams or memories don't actually lead to any physical closeness or progress with this person.
I know that I'm dreaming
The artist reiterates that they are fully aware that this scenario is only happening in their own mind, and not in real life.
I know that my dreaming goes nowhere
Again, the singer acknowledges that despite the strong emotions tied to this dream or memory, nothing can actually come from it in reality.
I know that I'm dreaming
The statement again highlights that the artist is fully conscious that this situation is entirely within their own mind.
I know that my dreaming goes nowhere
The final repetition underscores the futility and sadness of these dream/memory experiences, given that they carry no actual weight or substance in the real world.
I know that I'm dreaming
The repetition emphasizes the singer's consciousness of the situation, and the fact that they are acknowledging that it is not a real life experience.
Contributed by Carter E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.