Bat for Lashes – I Saw A Light

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I saw a light I saw a light Coming through the trees I saw a light Coming through the trees Freshly cut lawns And little children sleepwalking I saw a light I saw a light Shining on a car And a couple inside Had committed suicide Death in your arms Death in your arms I saw a light I saw a light Coming through the trees And I packed my things After I saw the light I packed my thing The light gave me life And helped me see more clearly And the children went to sleep And the car was towed away And the leaves were rustling As the night turned to day I saw a light Getting smaller in the distance And I said goodbye

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Lyrics submitted by shewouldnt

Track duration: 06:24

"I Saw a Light" as written by Natasha Khan

Lyrics © CHRYSALIS MUSIC GROUP

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


I Saw A Light song meanings
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  • 0
    Song Meaning:I definitely get a sense, in her absolutely beautiful and eerie piece, not so much of "crossing over", as others have suggested, but rather, of perhaps the escape from a perfectly and superficially designed suburbia. The suburbia hints are obvious, and the suggestion of children "sleepwalking" further maintains the feeling of artificiality. Mainly, however, I think this because the "light", the central image of the piece, is shining on the very car where a couple have "committed suicide"- the wail, "death in your arms," seems to be a cry over the absurdity and calamity such an image must instill. The light is not leading her into paradise, it is illuminating for her the desperate tragedy that underlies the perfectly manicured lawns. Even as day breaks, it is as if nothing has ever occurred, and the artificiality is maintained: the children continue sleeping, the car is towed away, and the leaves rustle gently in the breeze. This realization, I think, is the light of which she speaks.
    Flag nd1706on December 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Well to me.. I guess it kind of has something to do with being brand new? Maybe of course...seeing a light in Biblical terms means like getting saved, right? Death in your arms would probably mean your old self dying and you leaving it behind. I also got the feeling of aliens? Maybe like a War of the Worlds twist because of the announcer. And that story about a radio guy reading the book and people thought it was real. Yeah... At the beginnig this is what I made out:
    Announcer: Yeah, I saw that light, Did you? Two by two they came out, their beautiful faces shun (something else)
    Khan and guy: I saw a light, no more darkness, no more night. Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight. Praise the Lord I Saw a Light.

    Thats pretty accurate... The "I Saw a Light" part are lyrics to a song by Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys. Yeah...genuis. Creepy, yet subtle. Gives you that "feeling"...anyways love the song.
    Flag PatrickArispeon July 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I think this song is about a woman who is living a boring life in the suburbs (with its 'freshly cut lawns'), but she doesn't 'see the light' until she discovers the bodies of the couple in the suicide pact. It makes her realise that she doesn't want to die in her husband's arms, she doesn't want to give up her life for him, so she packs her things and walks out. The light at the end of the song is her home receding into the distance.
    Flag aislingtonon August 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i can't listen to this song, it gives me insane goosebumps. when the song picks up with the piano, i just have to change it. i feel so sick and creeped out. but, i think that's what makes it an amazing song.
    Flag keereeraron June 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think that the song in the beginning might be a hymn. Not totaly sure, but I really think I've heard it somewhere else. If I find it, I'll put it here.
    Flag ambrielon May 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:For that beginning part, I heard a few more things...

    "I saw a light
    I saw a light
    No more darkness
    No more night
    (something) ("No, that's all you saw?")
    Praise the Lord, I saw a light"
    Flag iBaronon April 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:'Death in your arms' = orgasm.
    Flag missmeon March 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:On second inspection, the beginning part is longer than that...but I think I got the basic outline of it. If anyone knows it fully, it would be very much appreciated :D
    Flag ambrielon December 02, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with the interpretation above about crossing over. There is a strong theme of death and letting go, but in a rather positive and calm manner. As if the narrator wants this to happen and they have prepared for it. Yet I feel that the ending is more about the fact that they have seen such a glorious sight-the light, even though that they weren't quite ready to go towards it, the experience has made them reform and feel better about themself and their future- so that may catch a glimpse of the light again when it really is time to go. With this idea I'd liken the song lyrically to Kate Bush's 'Suspended In Gaffa'.

    Also, I'm sure many have noticed this- through the distorted voices (all talking about seeing a light), Natasha and a male voice can be heard singing: 'I saw a light, I saw a light, no more dark (something-I haven't been able to catch it), no more dark nights. Praise the Lord, I saw a light!'.

    Flag ambrielon December 02, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:might seem obvious, but the song seems to be about crossing over ("I Saw A Light"... The Little Children Sleepwalking are those in Limbo or Purgatory perhaps, waiting for their turn? Soon resolved by "The Children Went To Sleep" meaning they were finally at rest.

    She packs her things ready to cross over herself, I'm not sure if she does or not due to the conflicting "I saw a light, Getting smaller in the distance" and the last line: "And I said goodbye"... anyone got any idea? Im guessing she didn't get to go, but she wanted to so badly.

    Death in your arms seems to be the main theme, meaning when she holds this person she's in love with she is so overcome with emotions she feels like she has died and she wants to remain that way for eternity. Because that light gave her life, she realises it is not her time and maybe time to leave this person she is with because he has given her back her emotions so dramatically, but he is bad for her so she says Goodbye, before she becomes like the couple in the car - so in love with each other that they died together

    x
    Flag sexylilelleon July 08, 2008   Link

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