Song Meaning
The lyrics for "By the Sun" initially paint a serene picture of nature's endless beauty, with "Colors, never ever ending" and raindrops like "diamonds from the sky." This opening stanza establishes a sense of wonder and abundance. However, this immediate beauty quickly gives way to a more somber reality.
The central tension emerges from the stark contrast between this initial vibrancy and the swift, inevitable transience of all things natural. Raindrops, once precious, "just disappear." Flowers "blossom and then die." This rapid shift from creation to decay creates a poignant sense of impermanence, suggesting that even the most breathtaking elements of the world are fleeting.
The most compelling craft element is the repeated refrain, "Carpets that are dried up by the sun." This phrase acts as a persistent, almost mournful, counterpoint to the initial descriptions of natural splendor. The sun, first depicted as a benevolent creator, "woven by the sun," is then revealed as the agent of desiccation. This duality highlights nature's relentless cycle, where the same force that brings life also takes it away.
The lyrics' effectiveness lies in this cyclical structure and the powerful juxtaposition. The song opens and closes with images of enduring beauty, yet the constant refrain and the middle stanza's focus on fading and dying ensure that the sense of loss is never far. It's a quiet, bittersweet meditation on the transient glory of the natural world, making the listener feel both the wonder of creation and the quiet sorrow of its inevitable end.