I think that the generic meaning of this song is what MalFunkt said, dont let life bring you down and try to get someone to help you through it.
But the specific case in the song, I think in the first verse its describing a homeless old man, depressed because of so much change waiting for his death/knowing its near("with the lorries rolling by", "and the buildings scrape the sky") and once he dies, hes "free" ("with the daylight in his eyes")
The chorus, I think, is telling you that you shouldnt let things bring you down, because the stuff thats bringing you down is trivial ("its only castles burning") and to find someone who is or has been in your shoes to talk to you and help you so that you can change your life.
I think the 2nd verse is describing a person dealing drugs and is blind to the repercussions of it or the effects of it ("blind man running through the light of night with an answer in his hand" (drugs in his hand))
And that he should find out the reality of what hes doing ("come on down to the river of sight and you can really understand") The police catches him or attemots to ("red lights flashing through the window in the rain can you hear the sirens moan?")
and its describing how he gives up his selling/taking of drugs ("White cane lying in the gutter in the rain" (white cane slang for cocaine)) and that he feels alone because his 'friends' he knew because of drugs he doesnt hang with anymore ("as youre walking home alone")
yes, just my interpretation. sorry if it sounds ridiculous.
I think that the generic meaning of this song is what MalFunkt said, dont let life bring you down and try to get someone to help you through it. But the specific case in the song, I think in the first verse its describing a homeless old man, depressed because of so much change waiting for his death/knowing its near("with the lorries rolling by", "and the buildings scrape the sky") and once he dies, hes "free" ("with the daylight in his eyes") The chorus, I think, is telling you that you shouldnt let things bring you down, because the stuff thats bringing you down is trivial ("its only castles burning") and to find someone who is or has been in your shoes to talk to you and help you so that you can change your life. I think the 2nd verse is describing a person dealing drugs and is blind to the repercussions of it or the effects of it ("blind man running through the light of night with an answer in his hand" (drugs in his hand)) And that he should find out the reality of what hes doing ("come on down to the river of sight and you can really understand") The police catches him or attemots to ("red lights flashing through the window in the rain can you hear the sirens moan?") and its describing how he gives up his selling/taking of drugs ("White cane lying in the gutter in the rain" (white cane slang for cocaine)) and that he feels alone because his 'friends' he knew because of drugs he doesnt hang with anymore ("as youre walking home alone")
yes, just my interpretation. sorry if it sounds ridiculous.