“Rises the Moon” is a captivating and introspective song by British folk artist Liana Flores, featured on her 2019 EP, Recently.
The song’s lyrics use the moon as a central metaphor to explore themes of change, resilience, and hope. The moon’s consistent rise each night symbolizes a reliable constant amidst life’s challenges, offering reassurance that some things remain unchanged.
With its gentle acoustic guitar and Flores’ soft, melodic vocals, the song creates a serene and reflective atmosphere.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“Rises The Moon” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Days seem sometimes as if they’ll never end
Sun digs its heels to taunt you
But after sunlit days, one thing stays the same
Rises the moon
Days fade into a watercolour blur
Memories swim and haunt you
But look into the lake, shimmering like smoke
Rises the moon
This verse portrays the feeling of time dragging during difficult periods. The sun is personified as taunting, emphasizing the struggle. However, the moon’s consistent rise serves as a reassuring constant, reminding us that some things remain unchanged despite life’s ups and downs.
The second half of the verse describes memories blurring together, potentially haunting the speaker. Yet again, the moon’s reflection in the lake provides a steady, comforting presence.
[Chorus]
Oh-oh, close your weary eyes
I promise you that soon the autumn comes
To darken fading summer skies
Breathe, breathe, breathe
The chorus offers solace and encourages rest. It promises that change (symbolized by autumn) will come, altering the current state of affairs. The repeated instruction to “breathe” serves as a calming mantra, urging the listener to find peace in the present moment.
[Verse 2]
Days pull you down just like a sinking ship
Floating is getting harder
But tread the water, child, and know that meanwhile
Rises the moon
Days pull you up just like a daffodil
Uprooted from its garden
They’ll tell you what you owe, but know even so
Rises the moon
This verse uses contrasting metaphors to illustrate life’s fluctuations. First, it compares difficult days to a sinking ship, emphasizing the struggle to stay afloat. Then, it likens more positive days to a daffodil being pulled up, suggesting growth but also displacement.
In both scenarios, the moon’s consistent rise serves as a reminder of stability amidst change.
[Chorus]
You’ll be visited by sleep
I promise you that soon the autumn comes
To steal away each dream you keep
Breathe, breathe, breathe
The final chorus introduces the concept of sleep visiting, possibly symbolizing rest or even death. It reiterates the promise of change (autumn) and suggests that this change might alter one’s dreams or aspirations. The repeated “breathe” maintains the meditative quality of the song.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Rises The Moon”
The moon is a powerful symbol in the song, representing a constant and reliable presence in the face of life’s ups and downs. Just as the moon rises every night regardless of the day’s events, it symbolizes the idea that no matter how difficult or tumultuous life may become, there are constants that provide stability and reassurance.
The song juxtaposes the sun and the moon to highlight the duality of life’s experiences. The sun, often associated with energy and life, is depicted as taunting during tough times, whereas the moon provides a soothing, consistent presence, as seen in the lines “Sun digs its heels to taunt you/ But after sunlit days, one thing stays the same/ Rises the moon.”
This duality underscores the natural cycles of life, where periods of hardship are followed by moments of calm and renewal, much like the transition from day to night.
Throughout the song, the moon’s rise serves as a metaphor for the inevitability of change and the resilience required to navigate it. The lyrics reflect on the struggles and the haunting nature of memories but consistently return to the comforting image of the moon rising, as Liana Flores sings,
“Memories swim and haunt you
But look into the lake
shimmering like smoke Rises the moon.”
The singer compares difficult days to a sinking ship, emphasizing the struggle to stay afloat. Then, it likens more positive days to a daffodil being pulled up, suggesting growth but also displacement. Despite these ups and downs, the moon’s consistent rise serves as a reminder of stability amidst change.
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