Building a Mystery by Sarah McLachlan Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Enigma of Self-Construction
Lyrics
That’s when the energy comes
And the dark side’s light
And the vampires roam
You strut your rasta wear
And your suicide poem
And a cross from a faith that died
Before Jesus came
You’re building a mystery
You live in a church
Where you sleep with voodoo dolls
And you won’t give up the search
For the ghosts in the halls
You wear sandals in the snow
And a smile that won’t wash away
Can you look out the window
Without your shadow getting in the way?
You’re so beautiful
With an edge and charm
But so careful
When I’m in your arms
‘Cause you’re working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you’re working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully
You woke up screaming aloud
A prayer from your secret God
You feed off our fears
And hold back your tears, oh
Give us a tantrum
And a know-it-all grin
Just when we need one
When the evening’s thin
You’re a beautiful
A beautiful fucked up man
You’re setting up your
Razor wire shrine
‘Cause you’re working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah, you’re working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully
Ooh, you’re working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you’re working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully
Yeah, you’re working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Oh, yeah, you’re working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully
You’re building a mystery
Sarah McLachlan’s haunting melody, ‘Building a Mystery,’ is not just a foray into the ethereal world of poetic allegory, it’s a complex canvas where the Canadian songstress paints the nuanced intricacies of human persona. The song, released in 1997, quickly resonated with listeners for its evocative lyrics and emotive delivery. It’s an archetypal McLachlan tune that bridges the personal and the universal, inviting us into its shadowy introspection.
The track begins with the imagery of nocturnal fervor, where personas and vampires, those denizens of darkness, roam free. From the outset, McLachlan weaves a tapestry that deftly captures the essence of what it means to craft an identity – one that is as beguiling as it is repellent. Let’s dive into the layers of this melancholic masterpiece and sift through the metaphorical to find the heartfelt truths hidden within.
The Enchanting Allure of Night: Identity and Persona
McLachlan’s opening lines set the stage for a nocturnal ballet, where the ‘energy comes’ and ‘the dark side’s light.’ It’s an ode to the complexities of identity, showing how we often don our true selves in the solitude of darkness. The imagery of ‘rasta wear’ and ‘suicide poem’ juxtaposes cultural appropriation with the depths of personal despair, hinting at both pretense and profundity that define the subject of the song.
This individual is further depicted as someone who dwells in places of worship yet plays with voodoo – a testament to the contradictory nature of human beings. We are a mix of sacred and profane, constantly on the ‘search’ for meaning, be it through religion, the supernatural, or in the depths of our own psyches.
A Reflection Seared with Beauty and Caution
McLachlan’s chorus underscores the complexity of human relations with a blend of allure and apprehension. The lines ‘You’re so beautiful, with an edge and charm’ encapsulate the seductive yet dangerous qualities that make the subject intriguing. But there is a warning in the tenderness – ‘But so careful, When I’m in your arms,’ which unfolds a dual narrative of intimacy and vulnerability.
These lyrics suggest a persona that’s alluring on the surface yet guarded at heart, encapsulating the fear of truly being seen or known. It’s a delicate dance of trust, where the beauty of connection is tempered by the prickling sensation of potential pain.
The Hidden Meaning: Spiritual Alienation and Secret Pain
McLachlan ventures into the realm of spiritual disconnection when she mentions ‘a cross from a faith that died.’ It’s a piercing portrayal of a soul bereft of its moorings, constructing an identity from relics and poetries of disillusionment. This ties into the song’s hidden meaning: a critique of how modern society fosters a facade of depth, filled with adopted symbols and hollow rituals, while real faith and connection erode away.
Even the ‘prayer from your secret God’ suggests a private desperation—a cry to a deity that is both undisclosed and possibly, unrecognized by traditional frameworks. The building of mystery, then, becomes an act of distancing, creating further barriers against an already isolating existence.
Memorable Lines: Striking Contrast of the ‘Beautiful Fucked Up Man’
Perhaps the most striking lines come in the form of a raw contradiction: ‘You’re a beautiful, A beautiful fucked up man.’ It’s an acknowledgment of the beautiful complexities that make us human and, simultaneously, a lament for the brokenness that often accompanies our existential struggles. This contrast underscores the song’s central theme of constructing an identity that is deeply flawed yet profoundly compelling.
McLachlan doesn’t shy away from the visceral nature of her subject, instead, she embraces it in a bold acceptance of the mystery that we all, in some form, are building. This acceptance becomes a poignant commentary on our own struggles with self-definition and the barriers we erect in self-preservation.
The Mystery Continues: Resonance and Relevance
The lasting power of ‘Building a Mystery’ lies not just in its haunting melody and McLachlan’s soulful voice, but in its exploration of timeless human themes. More than two decades after its release, the song continues to strike a chord with listeners. It speaks to the continued relevance of its message about the masks we wear and the figures we carve out for others to see.
As we dissect the layers of the song, we find the true meaning of McLachlan’s opus is less about the enigmatic character it depicts and more about the universal mystery that each of us is perpetually constructing. ‘Building a Mystery’ is not just a ballad; it’s a mirror held up to the complexities and contradictions inherent in our nature and our ongoing quest for self and meaning.
