Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of receiving something powerful, perhaps a gift or a burden, described as "the power of angels." This gift is immediately concealed, "wrapped it up in tinfoil," and the narrator flees "towards hills," suggesting a desire for isolation or escape. The dominant tone is one of anxious reverence and a desperate search for guidance, underscored by the plea for a sign.
The central tension lies in the narrator's internal state versus the external world. The heart is "wrapped in silver," mirroring the tinfoil, implying a protective but also isolating emotional barrier. This self-imposed confinement prevents the narrator from receiving the very signs they beg for, creating a loop of longing and inaccessibility. The repeated "Go on, go on" feels like a dismissal, either from the narrator to the outside world or a resigned acceptance of their own fate.
The most striking craft element is the recurring imagery of silver. The "power of angels" is wrapped in tinfoil, and the heart is "wrapped in silver." This repetition links the divine or extraordinary with a mundane, almost cheap, protective material. It suggests a fear of the sacred, an attempt to contain or perhaps even devalue something precious and overwhelming. The phrase "you cannot remark" hints at the hidden nature of these silver hearts, making them invisible or unacknowledged by others.
This lyrical construction is effective because it taps into a relatable feeling of being overwhelmed by gifts or opportunities, leading to a defensive withdrawal. The contrast between the angelic power and the tinfoil wrapping creates a poignant image of fear and inadequacy. The repeated "Go on" acts as a haunting refrain, emphasizing a sense of being stuck or unable to move forward despite the desire for change.