Know something about this song or lyrics?
Add it to our wiki.
Oh, I have lived for ages I'm a thousand turns of tides
I'm a thousand wakes of springtime and thousand infant cries
Oh, a thousand infant cries
I got sixteen hundred tigers now tied to silver strings
When they plowed in the pastures, oh the mighty heart will sing
Oh, the mighty heart will sing
But I'll always be blamed for the sun going down with a sigh
But I'm the light in the middle of every man's fog
I bend my arrows now in circles and I shoot around the hill
If I don't get you in the morning, by the evening I sure will
By the evening I sure will
Because I'm the fire on the mountain you have lit up in your dream
But also water on the fountain you could send myself on me
You could send myself on me
Because I'll always be blamed for the sun going down with a sigh
But I'm the light in the middle of every man's fog
And no I never meant to say these words but yes you ought to know
That the dark in what I've always been, it will not ever go
No it will not ever go
And for so I lived a thousand years, a thousand turns of tides
Just a thousand leaves in autumn and a thousand ways to try
Oh, a thousand
It's just a thousand ways to try
Ways to try
I'm a thousand wakes of springtime and thousand infant cries
Oh, a thousand infant cries
I got sixteen hundred tigers now tied to silver strings
When they plowed in the pastures, oh the mighty heart will sing
Oh, the mighty heart will sing
But I'll always be blamed for the sun going down with a sigh
But I'm the light in the middle of every man's fog
I bend my arrows now in circles and I shoot around the hill
If I don't get you in the morning, by the evening I sure will
By the evening I sure will
Because I'm the fire on the mountain you have lit up in your dream
But also water on the fountain you could send myself on me
You could send myself on me
Because I'll always be blamed for the sun going down with a sigh
But I'm the light in the middle of every man's fog
And no I never meant to say these words but yes you ought to know
That the dark in what I've always been, it will not ever go
No it will not ever go
And for so I lived a thousand years, a thousand turns of tides
Just a thousand leaves in autumn and a thousand ways to try
Oh, a thousand
It's just a thousand ways to try
Ways to try
Lyrics submitted by synapsistapped
Track duration: 02:53
"Thousand Ways" as written by Kristian Matsson
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
This is my interpretation of The Dreamer: ow.ly/…
The persona introduces the song by giving the length of time they've lived, '1000 tides,' and then goes on to tell us their life story. Coming into great success and reverance, in an almost grandiose way, and then being struck down 'blamed for the sun going down,' or some failing. And yet the persona is confused, because it is the same passion, drive or desire that he is being attacked for, but he has taken advantage of, that exists in every man.
The moon metaphor is particularly apt, because of how synonymous the day cycle of the moon is with the lives of great men. Living in constantly fleeting light (success), constricted by their own destiny (the moon is on a cycle controlled by exterior forces, much like those who become great are controlled by a desire to be great.) etc.
The reason I think it isn't just about the moon is this verse ...
'Because I'm the fire on the mountain you have lit up in your dream
But also water on the fountain you could send myself on me.'
This persona, a man who is fiery, has exacted the passion, drive, and success that many men have only dreamed of. And yet, the same drive and desire can be your downfall. And so in the same action of pursuing success, you condemn yourself to destroying your relationships, your surroundings, the things that really matter to you - and ultimately yourself.
But the 'dark will never go,' so finally, at the end of his life, he resolves to the fact, that greatness is not something you can step out of the way of, if it's born in you, it's unavoidable. The persona really evokes for me the character that James Dean plays in Giant. A man from humble beginnings, rocketing to success, and then finally plummeting under the weight of his own greatness.
Sam G
"I'm a thousand wakes of springtime and thousand infant cries" could maybe relate to either childrens fear of the dark or maybe werewolfes?
Even though its a moon-themed song I guess its methaphorical in some sense. There are two sides of a coin etc.
"And no I never meant to say these words but yes you ought to know
That the dark in what I've always been, it will not ever go
No it will not ever go"
Feels like he's talking about the dark side of the moon, and the fact that the same side of the moon faces us always, due to tidal locking.
I got sixteen hundred tigers now tied to silver strings
When they PULL OUT in the pastures, oh the mighty HARP will sing
Think about it, the 1600 strings make a harp. Despite being so symbolic and cryptic, Tallest Man's lyrics almost always make sense down to every detail if you parse them out enough. Like a good poet, he has a reason for using every word. And in this case Harp makes a lot more sense than Heart.
It's refreshing to hear someone sing emotionally with such thought in the words. I heard someone criticize Tallest Man for being so heartfelt or "hipsterish" but I think these people (d-bags?) aren't even paying attention to what the songs are about. They're mixing him up with other artists who maybe don't have as much depth in the lyrics.
But i wouldn't discount the answer to the riddle being his optimism, muse or creative spirit.
GHS 1600 acoustic guitar strings are a popular make he likely used when composing the song.
As a poet i think he can have it both ways. The moon has throughout history symbolized/embodied the human creative impulse.
On a side note. I met the Tallest Man a few years ago when he played probably the smallest venue in Adelaide, The Grace Emily Hotel. Great guy. He's back in town this year headlining Earth Station, can't wait.