Only If for a Night Lyrics
And she was there all pink and gold and glittering
I threw my arms around her legs
Came to repay (came to repay)
Came to repay (came to repay)
And you told me I should concentrate
It was all so strange and so surreal
That a ghost should be so practical
And my body was bruised and I was set alight
But she came over me like some holy rite
And although I was burning, you're the only light
And I did cartwheels in your honour
Dancing on tiptoes, my own secret ceremonials
Before the service began
In the graveyard, doing handstands
And you told me I should concentrate
It was all so strange and so surreal
That a ghost should be so practical
And my body was bruised and I was set alight
But she came over me like some holy rite
And although I was burning, you're the only light
Tell me what all this sighing's about
Tell me what all this sighing's about
And you told me I should concentrate
It was all so strange and so surreal
That a ghost should be so practical
(Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ah-ha-ah-ooh)
Only if for a night
(Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ah-ha-ah-ooh)
Only if for a night
(Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ah-ha-ah-ooh)
Only if for a night
(Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ah-ha-ah-ooh)
Only if for a night
Only if for a night
(Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ah-ha-ah-ooh)
Only if for a night
(Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ah-ha-ah-ooh)
Only if for a night
(Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ah-ha-ah-ooh)
Florence's long dead Grandma comes back as a ghost in a dream to give Florence practical advice, against the backdrop of her old school (she was a schoolgirl when her gran passed away). For Florence, it is as if her Grandma is alive again, if only for a night, and in the dream, Florence celebrates by doing cartwheels. Sad and beautiful. This song is about loving and remembering the dead,
You pretty much hit the nail on the head. I already knew about Flo's gran committing suicide before I heard this song but since I didnt know she was in school when it happened I assumed that she was singing about a childhood friend from her school who had died.
You pretty much hit the nail on the head. I already knew about Flo's gran committing suicide before I heard this song but since I didnt know she was in school when it happened I assumed that she was singing about a childhood friend from her school who had died.
Especially since thats what makes this song so relatable to me personally.
Especially since thats what makes this song so relatable to me personally.
I heard the line "She was all pink and gold and glittering" and immediately remembered my late childhood best friend in her princess costume.
I heard the line "She was all pink and gold and glittering" and immediately remembered my late childhood best friend in her princess costume.
The sadness and relatability of this song gives it a kind of...
The sadness and relatability of this song gives it a kind of weight that makes its beauty even more profound.
God bless Florence, her song's are a gift to humanity <3
I agree but I don't think the cartwheels take place during the 'dream', I think it was a real event in her childhood....it sounds like she danced on tiptoes,did cartwheels and handstands ceremonially in her honour, in the graveyard of the church where the funeral was held...
I agree but I don't think the cartwheels take place during the 'dream', I think it was a real event in her childhood....it sounds like she danced on tiptoes,did cartwheels and handstands ceremonially in her honour, in the graveyard of the church where the funeral was held...
I think actually the idea of the cartwheels and dancing in the graveyard, highlights how young she was when this happened.
I think actually the idea of the cartwheels and dancing in the graveyard, highlights how young she was when this happened.
After listening to this song for the hundredth time, I think I have formed my opinion on what this song is about. It's obvious from Flo's other songs that she has battled depression. Her grandmother committed suicide. Perhaps Flo was going through a particularly dark time, contemplating suicide, self harming ("My body was bruised and was set alight). In this dark time, her grandmother came to her, in a dream or in her imagination, to help her through it, convincing her not to hurt herself (And you told me I should concentrate), to fight through her depression (And the only solution was to stand and fight).
This is an absolutely beautiful song that carries so much meaning for different people. My interpretation may or may not be right but that's how I see it.
I know this song is about Florence's grandma, but the reason I love this song is because for me, personally, I think this song is not just about the dead. This song is about anyone you have ever loved and missed, and the longing to be with them once more, only if for night. I mean that's basically the gist of the song anyways, but everyone knows it's written for Florence's grandma.
Love this song so much <3
this song is even more beautiful when you know the meaning behind the lyrics. such a lovely, sad song.
I think the line is "My body was bruised," not "My body was loose", and "my doll, my dear, my darling", not "Madam, my dear, my dame". The 'ghost' is using terms of endearment, offering some comfort and wanting to know what's troubling her and offering advice.
Florence stated in in interview that she wrote this about a dream she had where her dead grandmother visited her near her old school and gave her some career advise. she said that she thought it strange that sometthing spiritual could be so practical. She also said it was partly inspired by joan of arc and about dreams and visions
Probably my favorite off of Ceremonials . Such a good song.
I've got no idea why but I keep hearing "came to repay" instead of "came to weeping" in the first verse. I guess it kind of makes sense both ways.
I heard about her grandmother committing suicide but for some reason didn't associate this song with that event in Florence's life. This is such a bittersweet song. I can relate. May you RIP, Gran. <3
This song touches me in a thousand ways. My mother passed away two months ago, and everytime i listen to this song,it just gets me. I imagine my mother before the sickness creeped in,and how i would always want to make her proud,and i see my myself too doing cartwheels in front of her,and her clapping with glee....and by the service beginning in the graveyward,i envision her having to leave.As though the reality comes back in ,but i earnestly try and make her stay by doing one last handstand...
Florence and The Machine once again wrote a masterpiece.
Your story is extremely moving. I hope you find peace. And know that there definitely are things beyond the human realm - things that we can't associate explanations and science to. So am sure, somewhere up there your mum's watching over you and loves you as much.
Your story is extremely moving. I hope you find peace. And know that there definitely are things beyond the human realm - things that we can't associate explanations and science to. So am sure, somewhere up there your mum's watching over you and loves you as much.
Isn't it: And the only solution was to stand and fight And my body was loose and I was set alight But you came over me like some holy rite And although I was burning, you're the only light
Anyway, my personal favourite off the album, I really hope she makes it a single <3