(Like freedom in spring)
She's alone tonight with a bitter cup and
She's undone tonight, she's all used up

She's been staring down the demons
Who've been screaming she's just another so and so,
Another so and so

You are golden, you are golden child
You are golden, don't let go, don't let go tonight

There's a fear that burns like trash inside
And your shame the curse that burns your eyes

You've been hiding in the bedroom
Hoping this isn't how the story has to go
It's not the way it goes, it's your book now

You are golden, you are golden child
You are golden, don't let go, don't let go tonight

You're a lonely soul
In a land of broken hearts
Your far from home
Is a perfect place to start

So this final verse is a contradiction
And the more we learn, the less we know

We've been talking about a feeling,
We both know inside but couldn't find the words
I couldn't write this verse.
I've seldom been so sure
About anything before

Golden, you are golden child
You are Golden, don't let go, don't let go tonight

This world is a dead man down
Every breath is a faded crown we wear,
Like some debilitated king
Don't let go tonight

The earth spins and the world goes round
The green comes from the frozen ground,
And everything will be made new again,
Like freedom in spring,
Hey, like freedom in spring,
Like freedom in spring



Lyrics submitted by Coop421

Track duration: 03:36


Golden song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:this song got me through a major depression. i think its about anyone who has gone through suicidal thoughts, self-esteem suffering, or just feels like letting go because it isn't worth it..he's reminding her that she IS worth it..because she's golden. :)
    Flag bellabee13on June 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about suicide. (yeah, way differnt than what the rest of you said)

    The first few lines refer to alcohol ("she's alone tonight with a bitter cup." The bitter cup is the alcohol)


    Then he sings "You've been hiding in your bedroom,
    Hoping this isn't not how the story has to go" he means she feels suicidal, like there's no other way, even though she doesn't want to kill herself.


    And, he sings "Don't let go tonight." He means don't let go and kill yourself.

    and then the part where he sings "
    Flag P.Luvon May 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is amazing. The descriptions have pretty much hit the nail on the head. 'Pure' is such a great way to describe this. Golden is such a perfect word. Such an unused word.

    I feel, however, that this song may be about a girl who the writer likes or loves, trying to describe how he feels about her.

    We've been talkin' about a feeling,
    We both know inside but couldn't find the words
    I couldn't write this verse,
    I've seldom been so sure,
    About anything before


    so perfect. He feels that he is golden, he's been looking for that word, and it's as if he read something, or ran into that word, and realized that this word is perfect to describe this feeling.
    Flag Orange Duckon November 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"To me, the gold is a metaphor for innocence in redemption, for beauty that you can only get from pain."
    Whoa, this comment is great. It's true that Switchfoot's obviously talking about being purified by fire (that is, our trials and loneliness) and emerging as one golden child. I loved the part which he reminded everyone of the "freedom in spring" and "Green comes on the frozen ground". It's like breathing hope into my dwindling soul at times when I feel so worthless; its like reminding me that there's still tomorrow, a new time for rebirth, a new opportunity for receiving God's wonderful redemption.
    Flag 64th_switchfooton August 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:THis is the song I'm named after..when he sings "You are golden, child" just the way he sings it...it sounds so pure and tender. I love listening to this song when I'm having a hard time, it makes me want to cry.
    Byt the way, does this song remind anyone else of that poem in the Outsiders, "Nature's first green is gold" etc?
    To me, the gold is a metaphor for innocence in redemption, for beauty that you can only get from pain.
    Flag golden_childon July 17, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I DON'T think they're singing Burn, burn, burn
    but they are singing la la la la during that part.

    I love this song..it's so uplifting! like freedom in spring.
    Flag Oh! Emilyon February 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"We are lonely souls in the land of broken hearts, far from home but this is where the story begins. And yes, you are the protagonist, you are the hero and the villain, the prince and the pauper and the clown all in one. So where do things head from here? well, that's your call... I remember drew laying down his line over top of the verses, this mellow, ethereal roof over top of the song." -Jon Foreman
    Flag ThisSettingSunon August 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:awesome song.

    "She's been staring down the demons,
    Who've been screaming she's just another so and so,
    Another so and so.."

    ^that's my favorite part of the song. it's so true. this song has helped me through some of the hardest times of my life. i love it.

    Flag WishingForYouon August 12, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:We interpreted this song in English class this year, so this is pretty much what i got from it:
    When he talks about being golden, i think its an amazing way to say that your are "pure or your really worth something".

    when he says:
    There's a fear that burns,
    Like trash inside
    And you're ashamed of the curse,
    That burns your eyes

    When you think of something burning, like a candle flame, you think its beautiful, and it represents something wonderful, but when you think of trash burning you think negativly, because trash burning isnt such a great thing, so i think that represents a bad thing that happened to her, and like tears, it burns her eyes.
    Flag iLUVHH13on June 26, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:Jon Foreman: "We are lonely souls in the land of broken hearts, far from home but this is where the story begins. And yes, you are the protagonist, you are the hero and the villain, the prince and the pauper and the clown all in one. So where do things head from here? well, that's your call... I remember drew laying down his line over top of the verses, this mellow, ethereal roof over top of the song."
    Flag born2xlon March 17, 2006   Link

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