Wednesday, December 28, 2016

"Breathing Underwater" by Emeli Sandé

I am pretty overwhelmed by this lovely song, "Breathing Underwater" by Emeli Sandé. The music is wonderful, her voice is exquisite, and what she is singing is beautifully mystical.



When I first heard this song, the words resonated with me. It feels obliquely profound, like they describe a dream, some kind of transcendent event, a peak experience. It speaks to me of a state of freedom that I imagine exists outside of our bodies, outside of time. But when I saw the video, I was quite taken aback by the very unexpected literalness of the flying motif. I have spent my nightly dream life flying, and the idea of having the power to fly is very important to my own personal mythology. So when I saw these dancers start to float up in the air, I was moved to tears...because of the freedom, because I know--I know in my heart and in my soul and in my skin what it feels like to fly... and because I can't do it in this physical plane.

I believe in miracles
Cause it's a miracle I'm here
Guess you could call me spiritual
Cause physical is fear

And it's safe to say the storm's gone away
And I’m dancing on the morning after
Yes I'd love to stay, but my home's the other way
And I miss the love and laughter

Something like flying
Hard to describe it
My God, I'm breathing underwater
Something like freedom, freedom
My God, I'm breathing underwater

Every moon and every star
Knows who you are, you know
So ever if it gets too dark
You never are alone

And it's safe to say you surrender your days
To pay back all the love you borrowed
And hopes are high you survived yesterday
And today is jealous of tomorrow

Something like flying
Hard to describe it
My God, I'm breathing underwater
Something like freedom, freedom
My God, I'm breathing underwater

http://www.emelisande.com/

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