The winter here's cold and bitter
It's chilled us to the bone
We haven't seen the sun for weeks
To long too far from home
I feel just like I'm sinking
And I claw for solid ground
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
Oh darkness I feel like letting go
If all of the strength and all of the courage
Come and lift me from this place
I know I could love you much better than this
Full of grace
Full of grace
My love
So it's better this way, I said
Having seen this place before
Where everything we said and did
Hurts us all the more
Its just that we stayed, too long
In the same old sickly skin
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
Oh darkness I feel like letting go
If all of the strength
And all of the courage
Come and lift me from this place
I know I could love you much better than this
Full of grace
Full of grace
My love



Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 03:41

"Full Of Grace" as written by Sarah Mclachlan

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Full Of Grace song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment:I really hate that everyone associates it with a certain TV show, but I guess however you hear Sarah's music, at least you're hearing it. I'm just sure that when Sarah wrote it she wasn't thinking it'd be a symbol for vampire love in the future.

    I first heard it when I bought her Surfacing album in 1997. Still one of my favorite albums to listen to when I'm down.

    This song to me, is pretty obvious. Anyone who had suffered from depression knows that winter months are the hardest. I think being depressed on your own is tough, but it's even tougher when you're in a relationship with someone and you feel like they deserve much better when you're at rock bottom. To me, this is a cry for help. It's a song to listen to when you're in your last throes of desperation and are begging for something to save you--"if all of the strength and all of the courage come and life me from this place". You drive away the one you love because you "know you can love you much better than this" I think the lines:

    "it's better this way, I said, having seen this place before,
    where everything we say and do hurts us all the more
    it's just that we stay too long in the same old sickly skin"

    are the most meaningful to me. You know if you could just shed that sickly skin and see the sun again, that you could make it, but you don't know how. You want to love them full of grace, and proudly, not hiding in the weak and ashamed condition that depression leaves you in. The final line where she repeats "It's better this way", in a determined way, is the saddest of all. Because you feel like there might be some hope in the last chorus begging for strength and courage to life you up, but in the end you decide it's better this way.

    God, I've cried so many tears to this song over the years.
    Flag maebelle11on November 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:As a mom who has lost a baby and has had a difficult time recovering, these lyrics take on even different meaning.

    I've been a Sarah fan since the late '90s, but this is by far one of my favorites by her. My son Ryan was born on a Tuesday and I've always referred to him as my "full of grace" child, based on the old expression of children born on Tuesdays. Anyway, healing from such a loss is never-ending; the emotions ebb and flow and sometimes the sorrow is overwhelming. I don't like that I feel more sorrow than joy about Ryan's short life; he deserves better than that. That said, these lyrics literally sing to my aching soul and broken heart.
    Flag ryansmommyon July 28, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:"its just that we stayed, too long
    in the same old sickly skin
    I'm pulled down by the undertow
    I never thought I could feel so low
    oh darkness I feel like letting go"

    One of the most tragic passages of any recorded song ever and it always brings tears to my eyes.

    I was handed some news last week, and I'm not in such a great frame of mind. I feel this way frequently, and I don't know what is going to happen to me in the near future.
    Flag minimalistlivingon June 01, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I think its about a break up. "I know I could love you much better than this" could be referring to how guilty one party can feel about ending a failing relationship. "If all of the strength, all of the courage come and lift me from this place" could mean finding the courage to end it and take them away from where they don't want to be.
    Flag rustyshackleford10on July 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I've first heard the song on the best TV series ever: "due SOUTH" (a Canadian production about a Mountie in Chicago, anyone remember?)

    It was played in part one of the series's finale and the beautiful melody as well as the lyrics seemed to express the emotions of all three main charactes so perfectly.

    More than 11 years later, I still come back to this song every now and then, not only because it reminds me of the show, but also because it's simply an amazing, touching, haunting piece of music! It gets me into day-dreaming every time.
    Flag WhiteWolfDiefon March 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:What an incredibly powerful song… I feel it can be related to in a large number of situations. I first heard it on Buffy also and after I downloaded almost all of the songs from each season (like Andleia). It was because of this song that I fell in love with Sarah and awesome songs like Possession and Elsewhere. This song is on another level completely.
    Flag chrisguzman16on April 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm going to be the naysayer who deviates from the traditional "this is so depressing" take on this song. Although it has a somber and melancholy tone to it, I don't think it's ultimately depressing.

    The end of each chorus and the very title of the song give the clue to the glimmer of hope that is the aimed-for end, which is grace. We have to come to place of realization of how far we've fallen and are incapable of succeeding in relationships on our own merit and willpower, which is a painful process involving a deep brokenness of self.

    Ultimately, however, that is a good thing. It is only in that place of brokenness where we cease relying on our merits, and surrender to the power of grace, where relationships find redemption and new beginning, which ultimately makes the song leave you with a faint glimmer of hope.

    I've heard it said that a successful marriage involves two people who have become very good at forgiveness. I think the song spans a broader concept than marriage, but the message is along that same vein. Whether it's with our friends, family, lovers, or our God, true and lasting relationships rely on the power of grace to sustain them over the long haul.
    Flag earthenvesselon July 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think of a drug addict who is desperately in love with someone, but is losing them because of her addiction. Maybe deciding to leave to spare them more pain. I could paint a lot of stories with the song - it's one of my 3 favorite in the world. Beautiful and tragic.
    Flag amarayaon April 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song was also used at the end of the movie called "Mol Flanders". I think it was back '96 or '97 and it starred the woman who played the princess in "The Princess Bride". I believe she's also married to Sean Penn, but I can't remember her name!
    Flag rocconorthon July 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I heard this song at the end of Buffy and it took me two years to find the song and i made my entire family search. When my sister got kicked out of our house and i heard this song it just made me cry there was just something about it.
    Flag mysterycrazeon May 29, 2007   Link

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