In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find (What will I find?)
Lay me on the ground
Fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find (What will I find?)
Chorus
Yeah, yeah, yea
Oh, Heaven let your light shine down (x4)
Love is in the water
Love is in the air
Show me where to look
Tell me will love be there (Will love be there?)
Teach me how to speak
Teach me how to share
Teach me where to go
Tell me will love be there (Will love be there?)
Chorus
(Amazing Guitar Solo)
Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find (What will I find?)
Lay me on the ground
Fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find (What will I find?)
Chorus
I'm going to let it shine (x2)
Heaven's little light gonna shine on me
Yeah yeah
Heaven's little light gonna shine on me
Shine, shine on me
Shine, come on and shine
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find (What will I find?)
Lay me on the ground
Fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find (What will I find?)
Chorus
Yeah, yeah, yea
Oh, Heaven let your light shine down (x4)
Love is in the water
Love is in the air
Show me where to look
Tell me will love be there (Will love be there?)
Teach me how to speak
Teach me how to share
Teach me where to go
Tell me will love be there (Will love be there?)
Chorus
(Amazing Guitar Solo)
Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find (What will I find?)
Lay me on the ground
Fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find (What will I find?)
Chorus
I'm going to let it shine (x2)
Heaven's little light gonna shine on me
Yeah yeah
Heaven's little light gonna shine on me
Shine, shine on me
Shine, come on and shine
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by Groot
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This song is about finding guidance. Looking for love in the world, asking where to find it, and ultimately finding that love in God from heaven above. And when you do find it, Heaven's light shines down. My whole life i listened to Collective Soul, but only as a recently saved Christian do i realize what alot of their songs are about. Great song by a great band.
Btw, i have to say this song has an absolutely amazing solo in it. To me, there are alot of songs with rather simple guitar in it, and this was the guitarist having his chance to show the amount of talent he truly has. never seen them live myself, but my dad said they were the best live show with the best sound of any band he'd ever seen.
Good post, and ditto on the guitar solo.
@Jimbrown AMEN brother in Christ!! You nailed it. We will never find true guidance or satisfaction from this world... that comes only from our Heavenly Father:)
I hate to think a song this awesome is religious. I kinda saw it as being a searching song... maybe trying to find beauty in a world that doesnt always let it's light shine... or hoping that someone would let their light shine... maybe finding beauty in nature?
@Tig45 <br /> <br /> It's religious. :o) Let it shine.
@Tig45 <br /> <br /> It's religious. :o) Let it shine.
@Tig45 <br /> <br /> It's religious. :o) Let it shine.
@Tig45 Why would you hate to think this song is about God and heaven???!!! Hate is a very strong word. Since when, and why, do people hate on God? Because someone they loved died, or perhaps something bad happened to you? We all die. All of us. Whether young or old. That’s the only guarantee in this world. Do you honestly think that when we die, we cease to exist?! I’m a Christian so I believe the Bible and God and Jesus. That is the only hope I have done here. It’s very, extremely comforting to believe that when I die, my ETERNITY is in heaven with God! So if I’m wrong, and we just stay under ground for ever and ever, at least I lived my life with hopes that o would’ve skeet all eternity with God. I will have lost absolutely nothing. But, buuuut, what if God does exist? And heaven? Do people really want to risk their afterlife by not believing in Him??!! I will never understand why millions, billions, of people risk eternity. Makes me very sad.
Seem pretty accurate to me, but instead of cussing like an idiot, you could try posting corrections.
I thought I heard that the boy who shot people at Virginia Tech and then took his own life listened to this song a lot...
He did. Perhaps he was looking for something he couldn't find. He didn't know what to do, where to go, to find fulfillment. He didn't know how to give/receive love. He didn't know how to feel the way he should be feeling. He didn't know how to bond, how to join. There was a disconnect between himself and others and it grew and grew and grew until he exploded with rage. It is a very sad thing. What a beautiful insight, though, into his world.
i agree with wezer1007. i think this is collective soul's best song overall. the sing sounds so musically beautiful and it works so well. collective soul are a very good band, i don't think enough people realize that. a shame, really.
Yeah, way to give new meaning to the song.
Why did Cho's roommates call it "Shine down" multiple times?
I feel its about someone who is dying or has died... and their scared, and asking, what will I find...will love be there, give me sign, show me where to look..heaven let your light shine down.. This is my all time fav song, and is in my will to be played at my funeral.
What a guitar riff in this song. Its definitely has christian lyrics to a point in it. But religion aside this song is all about shining yourself into the world. Everyone has a look, a voice, thoughts, and a opinion. Its about sharing that with the world. We have too many people my age who dont let their light shine.
Heard this song on the radio today, and the lyrics broke my heart, in light of what's going on with Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.