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They say ev'rything can be replaced,
Yet ev'ry distance is not near.
So I remember ev'ry face
Of ev'ry man who put me here.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
They say ev'ry man needs protection,
They say ev'ry man must fall.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
Is a man who swears he's not to blame.
All day long I hear him shout so loud,
Crying out that he was framed.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
Yet ev'ry distance is not near.
So I remember ev'ry face
Of ev'ry man who put me here.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
They say ev'ry man needs protection,
They say ev'ry man must fall.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
Is a man who swears he's not to blame.
All day long I hear him shout so loud,
Crying out that he was framed.
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east.
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.
Lyrics submitted by twitty
Track duration: 03:55
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I have always believed that it is the story of a prisoner on Death Row. Or someone giving their thoughts on someone about to be executed.
If you keep that in mind, the lyrics are quite simple and specific.
With that being said, I relate to the phrase "they say every man must fall" because of that reason. I feel like even though I got myself through a 4 year college, I find myself falling right now because I don't have a job and can't support myself right now. It's just a really sad song and it's beautiful and I'm grateful that I at least have my health and have a talent in art and know that I can do something with my future even though I may be stuck in a rut right now. Things really could be worse and this song gives me hope of a better tomorrow... and it just consoles my soul!
Long live the love for music and art!! I love music so much and musicians who have the gift of touching your inner core :]
the myth of the cave.
our world of shadows.
(Socrates / Plato)
perhaps telling the story of a prisoner.
perhaps playing with the gospel
perhaps a pasting music (like copy and paste)
but in the process of creation, and without pretension,
cames the "miracle"
and the music reached a mystical level
a quest for the secret ... so this behind the wall ...
and our interpretations will be endless
and it does not draw him (BD) the merit .... his art
PS: sorry but English is not my language
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
That's what I feel when I hear "released". It's an ultimate, once and for all deliverance. To one with spikes in his hands and feet, struggling for each breath, what a joy to look forward to!
The bible also talks of letting your light shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify God in heaven. It also says that when you're saved, God separates you from your sin and accounts you righteous at that moment.
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
I say all this knowing that the date of this song's writing puts it well ahead of BD's christian conversion. So I don't necessarily believe he had this in mind. It's just what it makes me think of.
From the west unto the east."
If sunlight is shining from the west unto the east, the sun is in the west and about to set. So if his light is shining from the west unto the east, his life is about to set (end).
The masterpiece of I Shall Be Released is a song about a car breakdown, stubborn nuts and being abandoned at the roadside.
The opening lines –
‘They say everything can be replaced,
Yet every distance is not near.’
This can clearly be something like a fan belt or a radiator, with a bit of a pessimistic line that now you are in deep shit, at the side of a road miles away from anywhere. A rather smug opening couplet, in my opinion, and not a comforting thought to anybody in distress.
‘They say every man needs protection,
They say every man must fall.’
Well you really should have thought twice before you ventured out onto the highway without adequate breakdown insurance. Another smug comment by Bob.
‘Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
Is a man who swears he's not to blame.’
Yeah, OK pal thanks for ramming me – I’m real glad that your car is OK – now get lost and leave me to fix this damned car.
‘I see my light come shining,
From the west unto the east,
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released.’
Well there goes another lorry driver, flashing his lights and refusing to stop and help. The damned nut still won’t come loose. If only I’d put the WD40 penetrating oil in the toolbox…………..