'13 (There Is A Light)' song lyrics by U2

“13 (There Is A Light)” from U2’s Songs of Experience serves as a poignant and introspective lullaby, reflecting Bono’s deep love and concern for his children as they navigate the complexities of life. Inspired by the notion of guiding the next generation through uncertain times, the song is imbued with a sense of tenderness and hope.

 

Its piano-driven arrangement creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing the lyrics to resonate with an emotional weight that transcends mere advice. Bono’s heartfelt plea for his children to find their inner strength is both a personal message and a universal call to resilience, making it a deeply relatable piece for anyone facing adversity.

The chorus, which echoes the sentiments expressed in Songs of Innocence’s “Song for Someone,” acts as a bridge between the two albums, highlighting the thematic continuity that U2 explores throughout their discography. This reprise serves not only as a reminder of the innocence of youth but also as a recognition of the inevitable transition into the complexities of adulthood. 

By intertwining these two songs, Bono emphasizes the cyclical nature of experience and the enduring hope that light can prevail even in the darkest moments. 

'13 (There Is A Light)' song lyrics by U2

And if the terrace of the night
Come creeping into your days
And the world comes steeling children from your room
Got your innocence from hallucination
I know that darkness always gathers around the light

If there is a light
We can't always see
And there is a world
We can't always be
If there is a dark
Now we shouldn't doubt
And there is a light
Don't let it go out

When the wind screams and shouts
And the sea is a dragon's tail
And the ship that stole your heart away
Sets sail

When all you've left is leaving
And all you got is grieving
And all you know is needing

If there is a light
We can't always see
And there is a world
We can't always be
If there is a dark
Now we shouldn't doubt
And there is a light
Don't let it go out

'Cause this is a song
A song for someone
Someone like me

I know the world is done
But you don't have to be
I've got a question for the child in you before it leaves
Are you tough enough to be kind?
Do you know your heart has its own mind?
Darkness gathers around the light
Hold on
Hold on

There is a light
We can't always see
If there is a world
We can't always be
If there is a dark
That we shouldn't doubt
And there is a light
Don't let it go out

And this is a song
A song for someone
This is a song
A song for someone
Someone like me
Someone like me
Someone like me

It is not a cover of the Smiths' song, There Is A Light, That Never Goes Out! 

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'Landlady' song lyrics by U2

Landlady is a song on U2's Songs of Experience.

"Landlady," a track from U2's 2017 album "Songs of Experience," offers a unique and deeply personal exploration of themes centering around love, gratitude, and the transformative power of a significant relationship. This song, while less overtly political or socially charged than many of U2's other works, delves into the intimate and profound impact of love and support in one's life.

At its core, "Landlady" is a tribute to a nurturing and sustaining love. The song is widely interpreted as an ode from Bono to his wife, Ali, who has been a constant presence in his life since their teenage years. The title itself, "Landlady," metaphorically represents someone who provides shelter, not just in a physical sense, but emotionally and spiritually. 

This idea is beautifully encapsulated in the lyrics, "Every wave that broke me, Every song that wrote me, Every dawn that woke me, Was to get me home to you, see." Here, the 'landlady' is portrayed as a guiding force, a stable presence that helps navigate the tumultuous journey of life.

'Landlady' song lyrics by U2

Roam, the phone is where I live till I get home
And when the doorbell rings you tell me that I have a key
I ask you how you know it's me
The road, no road without a turn and if there was
The road would be too long
What keeps us standing in this view
Is the view that we can be brand new

Landlady takes me up in the air
I go, I go where I would not dare
Landlady shows me the stars up there
I'm weightless, weightless when she is there
And I'll never know, never know what starving poets meant
Cos' when I was broke, it was you that always paid the rent

Space, her place is where I found my parking space
And when I'm losing ground, you know she gives it back to me
She whispers don't do just be

Landlady takes me up in the air
I go, I go where I would not dare
Landlady shows me the stars up there
I'm weightless, weightless when she is there
And I'll never know, never know what starving poets meant
Cos' when I was broke, it was you that always paid the rent

Every wave that broke me
Every song that wrote me
Every dawn that woke me
Was to get me home to you to see
Every soul that left me
Every heart that kept me
The strangers that protected me
To bring me back to you
Every magic potion
Every false emotion
I was swerving our devotion
To the lies we know are almost true
Every sweet confusion
Every grand illusion
I will win and call it losing
If the prize is not for you

-

The theme of gratitude is prevalent throughout the song. Bono acknowledges the sacrifices and support his 'landlady' has offered over the years. This gratitude is not just for the love received but also for the inspiration and strength derived from this relationship. The lines, "You're the reason why the opera is in me," suggest that the support and love from the 'landlady' have been integral to his artistic expression and personal growth.

There's also an exploration of the theme of redemption and support in the face of challenges. The song reflects on how having a supportive partner can be a grounding force, especially in the context of fame and the chaotic lifestyle that often accompanies it. The 'landlady' is seen as the anchor in the ever-changing and often challenging world that the narrator inhabits.

Moreover, "Landlady" touches on the theme of enduring love. Unlike many love songs that focus on the early stages of romance, this track delves into the depth and complexity of a long-standing relationship. It celebrates a love that has endured the test of time, evolving and growing stronger through shared experiences and challenges.

 
Check out Book of Your Heart's lyrics which was a bonus track from the Songs of Experience album.

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'Book Of Your Heart' song lyrics by U2

"Book of Your Heart," from U2's Songs of Experience (Deluxe Version), captures a deeply reflective and emotional exploration of enduring love and the complexity of long-term relationships. Inspired by the poetic sentiments of W.B. Yeats, 

Bono describes the song as dealing with the "desires a poetry as cold and as passionate as the dawn', and I wanted to write about the cold passion of great relationships.... It's about the knowingness that you need to help get your partner through their life, and vice versa". 

It's a meditation on the deep, often unspoken, bond that forms between people who share a life together, acknowledging both the warmth and the chill of commitment. Bono's lyrics suggest that love isn't just about moments of fiery passion but also about helping one another navigate life's challenges with an intimate understanding. The "book" metaphor represents the personal, hidden chapters of a person's life, with partners becoming co-authors, helping each other write the most important stories of their lives.

U2's 'Book Of Your Heart' lyrics from Songs of Experience (Deluxe Version)

Right at the start
You put this into words
How you think we should proceed, yeah

You wanted me alone
With the pictures that you've seen
Of where you haven't been
But where you want to go

Ask the leaf and ask the bird
Not to sing or speak a word
We are not fictitious characters
But we don't belong to this world

The book, the book of your heart
One tiny mark, an entry
In the book of your heart
It's written on skin
To even be in
The book of your heart

You can change your name, or even who you are
That's the beauty of the scar
That is the contract of the heart
This is our wedding day
This is the promise that we'll stay
Through the long descriptive passages
Where we don't know what to say

This song is only available as part of the deluxe version of the Songs of Experience album. 

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