Introduction
On Aug.
26, I posted my comments on the meaning of
“Coming up Roses,” and “Lost Stars,” as sung by Keira Knightley in the
movie, “Begin Again.” Today, I want to take another (and better) shot at “Lost Stars.”
My
original post is on this link:
I am
happy to report that “Begin Again” has been re-released in order to make it eligible
for Academy Awards’ consideration. The soundtrack is being emphasized in the
chase for an Oscar. However, I’m amazed that not one single reviewer mentioned
the very-obvious Buddhist themes involved in these two songs - and in the movie itself. I think it would
be more than worthwhile for the Weinstein Company (this movie's distributors) to “mention” these themes.
That would give audiences a heads-up on what to look for as they watch the film
and listen to the songs.
Next,
I’m going to post the lyrics as sung by Keira Knightley, followed by my
interpretations.
“Lost Stars”
(1)
Please don't see just a girl caught up in dreams and fantasies.
(2)
Please see me reaching out for someone I can't see.
(3)
Take my hand, let's see where we wake up tomorrow.
(4)
Best laid plans sometimes are just a one night stand.
(5)
I'll be damned, Cupid's demanding back his arrow.
(6) So
let's get drunk on our tears and
(7)
God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.
(8)
It's hunting season,
(9) and
this lamb is on the run searching for meaning.
(10)
But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?
(11)
Who are we? Just a speck of dust within the galaxy?
(12)
'Woe is me' if we're not careful turns into reality.
(13)
Don't you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow.
(14)
Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer.
(15)
Turn the page, maybe we'll find a brand new ending.
(16)
Where we're dancing in our tears and
(17)
God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.
(18)
It's hunting season,
(19)
and this lamb is on the run, searching for meaning.
(20)
But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?
(21) I
thought I saw you out there crying.
(22) I
thought I heard you call my name.
(23) I
thought I heard you out there crying.
(24)
But just the same,
(25)
God, tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.
(26)
It's hunting season,
(27)
and this lamb is on the run, searching for meaning.
(28)
But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?
(29)
Are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?
My Interpretations
Lines (1)
and (2):
"Please don't see just a girl caught up in
dreams and fantasies.
Please see me reaching out for someone I
can't see."
Gretta is
asking her boyfriend at the time, Dave Kohl, to see her as reaching out for the
Buddha – “someone I can’t see.” To an outsider, unfamiliar with the Way, such a
“reaching out” must appear to be “dreams and fantasies.” As I mentioned in my earlier post, her best friend Steve is responsible for Gretta trying to "reach out" for the Buddha.
Line
(3): “Take
my hand, let's see where we wake up tomorrow.”
Attaining
Enlightenment is sometimes called the Great Awakening. Gretta is inviting Dave
to join her – “take my hand” – and see where this unpredictable journey will
take them as they both pursue the Way.
Line (4): “Best laid plans
sometimes are just a one night stand.”
In real life, a one-night stand could never be
considered a “best laid plan.” So, saying that “best laid plans” are sometimes
the equivalent (in outcome) to one night stands is an interesting way of
criticizing our over-reliance on conventional thinking when it comes to how we
should proceed in seeking personal growth. Sometimes being more open and
spontaneous will yield a better result than good planning.
Line 5: “I'll be damned, Cupid's demanding back his
arrow.”
“I’ll be damned” usually means “I’ll be shocked
or surprised.” Gretta shouldn’t be “shocked/surprised” at Cupid’s demand – she should
be grateful. If she’s really inviting Dave to join her in a quest for
Enlightenment, the kind of smitten love implied by Cupid’s arrow would only get
in the way. People can love each other and pursue the Way without the hindrance
of being smitten.
In a more literal sense, both Dave and Gretta
would “be damned” to a failure to make anything but a slow and tortuous spiritual progress if they should decide
to keep Cupid’s arrow.
Lines (6) and (7):
“So
let's get drunk on our tears and
God,
tell us the reason, youth is wasted on the young.”
Getting drunk on emotions is what Cupid was
hoping to prevent with his demand. But the path to Enlightenment takes into
account the way we are, so indulging in emotion isn’t fatal to our search for Awakening.
For most people, it’s absolutely necessary – though it does slow things down a
bit.
The movie makes clear that God doesn’t talk to
us. So in that sense, there might as well be no such thing as God. If, however,
Gretta is hoping for some teacher to “tell us the reason,” she’ll be pleasantly
disappointed – for “youth is NOT wasted on the young.” By means of pursuing
appropriate Buddhist practice, it’s possible to have a second youth and a
renewed body within one lifetime.
Lines (8) and (9):
“It's
hunting season,
and
this lamb is on the run searching for meaning.”
I see
“this lamb is on the run” as being a positive and aggressive behavior in
keeping with the motto, “It’s hunting season.”
Line
(10): “But are we all lost stars trying to light up the dark?”
We only
feel lost because we don’t fully comprehend the (karmic) forces that determine
our location and our path of travel. Our mistake is in trying to “light up the
dark” solely for our own benefit – so we’ll be less afraid of the dark. Having
a desire to light up the dark for everybody’s sake will provide a guarantee of
spiritual success. That’s the goal of the Buddhas – to totally eliminate darkness
throughout the universe for everybody’s sake.
Lines (11) and (12):
“Who
are we? Just a speck of dust within the galaxy?
'Woe is
me' if we're not careful turns into reality.”
Without
making any efforts for spiritual growth, that’s all each of us will remain – “a
speck of dust.” Read line 12 with this definition of “careful” in mind: full of
care, that is full of compassion.” If we lack caring and compassion for others,
we will always only remain “a speck of dust.” However, those who cultivate
compassion in their lives eventually become capable of moving entire galaxies
and filling the heavens with their light, which is capable of saving others.
Line (13): “Don't you dare
let our best memories bring you sorrow.”
As you
progress spiritually, don’t be ashamed of your past. That past, coupled with
your current determination to grow, will prove to be the fertile ground from
which your Enlightenment will take root.
Line (14): “Yesterday I saw a lion
kiss a deer.”
Join
me, and you too will see such things. You will come to expect the unexpected.
Lines (15) and (16):
“Turn
the page, maybe we'll find a brand new ending.
Where
we're dancing in our tears…”
“Turn
the page” could be read as “Turn over a new leaf.” Pages are sometimes referred
to as “leaves of paper.” If we indeed “turn over a new leaf” – that is,
diligently work on trying to change – we’ll definitely find a brand new ending. And that will cause us to “dance in our
tears [of joy].” Dancing for joy in appreciation of how our efforts have borne
fruit is a very prominent theme in the world of Buddhist practice.
Lines (21), (22), and
(23):
“I thought I saw you out there crying.
“I thought I saw you out there crying.
I
thought I heard you call my name.
I
thought I heard you out there crying.”
By
saying “I thought,” Gretta is understating what she saw and heard so as not to
embarrass Dave. But she wants him to know she is aware of the personal anguish and
shortcomings of which he himself might not even be consciously aware.
And
this whole song is an invitation for him to join her so that, together, they
might make that huge leap in personal satisfaction that most people only dream
of.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* *
Steven Searle, just another
member of the
Virtual Samgha of the Lotus
and
Former Candidate for USA
President (in 2008 & 2012)
Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com
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