Wishing
Chasing Dreams: A Celestial Ballet of Wishes in Joan Armatrading's 'Wishing'
Lyrics
I saw a star
Observation of a star
Falling
Describing the star's movement - falling
Like an old
Comparing the star's fall to an old Hollywood actress
Hollywood actress
Elaborating on the comparison
A neon sign
Describing a partially lit neon sign
With just one letter showing
Detailing the condition of the sign
A burned out light
Noticing a burned-out light
At my feet
Direct observation of something at the speaker's feet
I took a wish
Decision to make a wish
I wished
Confirmation of making a wish
I wished on that jewel
Specifying the object of the wish
From the sky
Further description of the wished object
I wished on the moon
Wishing on the moon, metaphorically
Haunting the trees
Depiction of the moon's presence
A target too big for the sky
Expressing desire for something unattainable
I wanted it so bad
Intensity of the desire
I was wishing on a prayer
Describing the nature of the wish
But it kept right on dodging
Continuation of the pursuit of the wish
A riderless horse
Metaphorical reference to a riderless horse
From the left to the right
Describing the movement of the horse
Straight to the eye
Directing attention to a specific point
Yet changing direction
Contradictory movement of the wished object
There within reach
Suggesting proximity to the desired object
And then out of sight
Loss of sight of the desired object
I'd waited too long
Realization of waiting too long
Watched for that pot to boil
Metaphorical expression of impatience
Waited too long for the whistle
Further expression of impatience
I wanted it so bad
Reiteration of intense desire
I was wishing on a prayer
Reiterating the nature of the wish
But it kept right on dodging
Continuation of the elusive wish
A riderless horse
Reiteration of the metaphorical horse
From the left to the right
Describing the horse's movement again
Straight to the eye
Refocusing attention to a specific point
Yet changing direction
Reiteration of contradictory movement
There within reach
Suggesting closeness to the desired object again
And then out of sight
Final loss of sight of the desired object
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