Broken Wings by Alter Bridge Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Anthemic Cry for Resilience and Purpose
Lyrics
When the world is full of victims
Dims a fading light
In our souls
Leave the peace alone
How we all are slowly changing
Dims a fading light
In our souls
In my opinion seeing is to know
The things we hold
Are always first to go
And who’s to say
We won’t end up alone
On broken wings I’m falling
And it won’t be long
The skin on me is burning
By the fires of the sun
On skinned knees
I’m bleeding
And it won’t be long
I’ve got to find that meaning
I’ll search for so long
Cry ourselves to sleep
We will sleep alone forever
Will you lay me down
In the same place with all I love
Mend the broken homes
Care for them they are our brothers
Save the fading light in our souls
In my opinion seeing is to know
What you give
Will always carry you
And who’s to say
We won’t survive it too
On broken wings I’m falling
And it won’t be long
The skin on me is burning
By the fires of the sun
On skinned knees
I’m bleeding
And it won’t be long
I’ve got to find that meaning
I’ll search for so long
Set a-free all
Relying on their will
To make me all that I am
And all I’ll be
Set a-free all
Will fall between the cracks
With memories of all that I am
And all I’ll be
On broken wings I’m falling
And it won’t be long
The skin on me is burning
By the fires of the sun
On skinned knees
I’m bleeding
And it won’t be long
I’ve got to find that meaning
I’ll search for so long
In the pantheon of rock anthems that encapsulate the struggle for meaning amid life’s trials, Alter Bridge’s ‘Broken Wings’ holds a unique place. With its soaring melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics, the song is a poignant exploration of the human condition, treading the line between despair and a resilient call to action.
At its core, ‘Broken Wings’ is more than just a melodic lament; it’s a narrative rich with metaphorical significance and an unequivocal quest for understanding. Let’s dive deep into the dimensions of this track, probing the layers of its lyrical complexity and the broader implications of its heart-rending appeal.
The Plight of the Lone Warrior
The opening lines of ‘Broken Wings’ immediately set the tone for a stark, solitary battle, a theme often relatable to anyone feeling isolated in their struggles. ‘Fight the fight alone’ isn’t just a lyric; it speaks to an intrinsic part of the human spirit, the part that must sometimes endure alone in a world where unity often gives way to self-preservation.
This internal isolation is further magnified by the song’s acknowledgment of a ‘world full of victims’, suggesting a collective, yet individually experienced, desolation. The ‘dims a fading light in our souls’ conjures a visual of dwindling hope and purpose, a theme that resonates throughout the track.
Tarnished Innocence and the Loss of Ideals
‘Leave the peace alone’ evokes a resignation to the erosion of purity and tranquility in life. Alter Bridge taps into a subtle yet profound truth: as time passes, our innocence and once-cherished principles can be compromised by the abrasive nature of reality.
The ‘fading light’ is a recurring motif, symbolizing the essence of hope and morality that dims within each of us amidst life’s relentless change. This relentless mutation of the self aligns poetically with the song’s central melody, a melody that yearns for something once known but lost.
Searching for Meaning in the Rubble of Existence
‘On broken wings I’m falling’ is not merely a confession of defeat; it represents the existential plummet many feel when life’s foundation seems to crumble. It’s a universal human experience to search for meaning, a search that often becomes more desperate as we confront our vulnerabilities.
This quest is conveyed with an urgency that is almost palpable; the physicality of ‘the skin on me is burning’ and ‘I’m bleeding’ suggests a raw encounter with adversity, driving the urgency to comprehend life’s purpose ‘before it’s too late’.
The Paradox of Detachment and Deep Connection
There’s a duality presented within the song: the need to ‘set a-free all’ might hint at the necessity to detach and let go, while simultaneously indicating a profound connection—the will that shapes who we are and who we will become. This is the human paradox: our deepest connections often require a willingness to stand alone.
Falling ‘between the cracks’, the song embodies the fear that in freeing ourselves or others, we might be lost to oblivion; our experiences and essence reduced to mere memories. It’s a narrative that masterfully encapsulates the push-and-pull between personal freedom and the enduring fear of being forgotten.
The Memorably Piercing Chorus That Rings With Our Own Echoes
Alter Bridge’s chorus in ‘Broken Wings’ resonates with the listener in a transcendental fashion, reflecting back an echo of their own experiences. ‘On broken wings I’m falling’ becomes a mantra, a visceral illustration of struggle that listeners can’t help but interpret through their own trials and tribulations.
As the song reaches its climax, we as listeners are reminded of our shared quest for meaning against—what often appears to be—a harsh and indifferent universe. It’s in this shared struggle that we find a communal solace, an understanding that though we may ‘search for so long’, we do not search alone.
