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.
Six by six, from wall to wall
Shutters on the windows, no light at all
Damp on the floor you got damp in the bed
They're trying to get you crazy get you out of your head
They feed you scraps and they feed you lies
To lower your defenses, no compromise
There's nothing you can do, the day can be long
You mind is working overtime, your body's not too strong
Hold on, hold on, hold on,
Hold on, hold on, hold on
They put you in a box so you can't get heard
Let your spirit stay unbroken, may you not be deterred
Hold on, you have gambled with your own life
You faced the night alone
While the builders of the cages
Sleep with bullets, bars and stone
They do not see the road to freedom
That you build with flesh and bone
They take you out the light burns your eyes
To the talking room it's not surprise
Loaded questions from clean white coats
Their eyes are all as hidden as their Hippocratic Oath
They tell you how to behave, behave as their guest
You want to resist them, you do your best
They take you to your limits, they take you beyond
For all that they are doing there's no way to respond
Hold on, hold on
They put you in a box so you can't get heard
Let your spirit stay unbroken, may you not be deterred
Hold on, you have gambled with your own life
You face the night alone
While the builders of the cages
Sleep with bullets, bars and stone
They do not see the road to freedom
That you build with flesh and bone
Though you may disappear, you're not forgotten here
And I will say to you, I will do what I can do
You may disappear, you're not forgotten here
And I will say you you, I will do what I can do
And I will do what I can do
I will do what I can do
Shutters on the windows, no light at all
Damp on the floor you got damp in the bed
They're trying to get you crazy get you out of your head
They feed you scraps and they feed you lies
To lower your defenses, no compromise
There's nothing you can do, the day can be long
You mind is working overtime, your body's not too strong
Hold on, hold on, hold on,
Hold on, hold on, hold on
They put you in a box so you can't get heard
Let your spirit stay unbroken, may you not be deterred
Hold on, you have gambled with your own life
You faced the night alone
While the builders of the cages
Sleep with bullets, bars and stone
They do not see the road to freedom
That you build with flesh and bone
They take you out the light burns your eyes
To the talking room it's not surprise
Loaded questions from clean white coats
Their eyes are all as hidden as their Hippocratic Oath
They tell you how to behave, behave as their guest
You want to resist them, you do your best
They take you to your limits, they take you beyond
For all that they are doing there's no way to respond
Hold on, hold on
They put you in a box so you can't get heard
Let your spirit stay unbroken, may you not be deterred
Hold on, you have gambled with your own life
You face the night alone
While the builders of the cages
Sleep with bullets, bars and stone
They do not see the road to freedom
That you build with flesh and bone
Though you may disappear, you're not forgotten here
And I will say to you, I will do what I can do
You may disappear, you're not forgotten here
And I will say you you, I will do what I can do
And I will do what I can do
I will do what I can do
Lyrics submitted by kevver, edited by lmnsolutions
Wallflower Lyrics as written by Peter Gabriel
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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yeah it makes me think of political prisoners incarcerated in prisons and psychiatric detention. the point is that even though they'll disappear like a wallflower he won't forget them completely...
Peter has a history of writing songs about the opression of South Africa. This is one of the songs banned in that country (along with Biko) because of it's political message.
Some have said it was a tribute to Nelson Mandella, but Peter has always stated that it is for every person who is willing to be placed in jail for their beliefs of freedom.
thank you Otter for the information, it made it all clear, now that i've read the lyrics once more it looks pretty obvious. melodically one of my favorite Peter Gabriel songs.
"Shutters on the windows, no light at all" The light meaning the truth. "They feed you scraps and they feed you lies to lower your defenses, no compromise" Who are "they"? (who is you?) Is Peter singing to you and me? Humans are working over time, aren't they? specially in third world countries.
Birdy is mankind, just as Rael is real, and it is-Ra-el.
Mr. Grabirel is not just any writer, he is a genius. He knows too much and he's just doing what he can.
"And I will say to you, "I will do what I can do."
@ET11 I have questions, since when does he know so much? How did he get to know all that? Long before the truth began to show up. Since I have lived my entire life in a third world country, México, this song didn't make any sense back in the 80's when I first listened to it, I just fell in love with the melody, the music, the words, allthough they did not mean anything clear. Ten years ago, when I first started my research on reptilians, that's when I listened to the song and I began to cry like a baby.
This song is about how we treat animals such as apes as our doctors test them and try to get them to speak etc. thats what I hear but others could be right as well. I see him as trying to free lab animals.
I'm not quite sure what this song is about, but it seems that it is about someone is some type of institution...
Very beautiful.
A gorgeous song about persecution and hope.
I agree with Otter's take on it - it's about someone ;locked up for their beliefs, treated by "doctors" because their political or social or artistic beliefs prove that they are "sick" and need to be "healed". The prisoner holds on, though, knowing the truth and refusing to be broken down and brainwashed.
Natalie Portman's imprisonment in the film V for Vendetta is a good illustration of the principles of this song, and shows the "freedom" that can be achieved by refusing to be broken, despite being imprisoned.
Definitely agree with Otter, here since I think Peter Gabriel's been very involved with Amnesty International, an organization that's devoted to helping political prisoners throughout the world.
Peter Gabriel did the soundtrack for the movie "Birdy" about two returning vets. One physcially scarred (Nick cage) and one mentally scarred (Mathew Modine "birdy).
Birdy was locked up in an asylum and his friend never gave up on him.
That is what the song is about.
The thing you have to ask is who is "I"...... and I will do what I can do. These are some very strong words! ..... I don't know..... maybe I'm wrong. but I can't help to believe this is Jesus speaking to his disciples. .... or God. .... That's my take on it and I will stick to it.