The Riddle lyrics by Nik Kershaw, 1 meaning, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
Request & respond explanations
  • Don't understand the meaning of the song?
  • Highlight lyrics and request an explanation.
  • Click on highlighted lyrics to explain.
Nik Kershaw – The Riddle lyrics
I got two strong arms
Blessings of babylon
Time to carry on
And try
For sins and false alarms
So to America the brave
Wise men save

Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
But he'll never, never fight over you

I got plans for us
Nights in the scullery
And days instead of me
I only know what to discuss
Oh for anything but light
Wise men fighting over you

It's not me you see
Pieces of valentine
With just a song of mine
To keep from burning history
Seasons of gasoline and gold
Wise men fold

Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
But he'll never, never fight over you

I got time to kill
Sly looks in corridors
Without a plan of yours
A blackbird sings on bluebird hill
Thanks to the calling of the wild
Wise mens' child

Near a tree by a river
There's a hole in the ground
Where an old man of aran
Goes around and around
And his mind is a beacon
In the veil of the night
For a strange kind of fashion
There's a wrong and a right
But he'll never, never fight over you
×



Lyrics taken from /lyrics/n/nik_kershaw/the_riddle.html

  • Email
  • Correct
Corrected by h0spid

The Riddle meanings

  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered
    For a so-called "gibberish song" that challenged a lot of Nik Kershaw fans to think that its lyrics is a rhythmically-designed song guide that means nothing, there is an internet-wide effort to promote that it has no meaning as claimed by the master musician himself. And the so-called riddle solutions are nowhere to be found.
    A pro boxer or martial artist doing free style shadowboxing is a sight to behold with all the discipline embedded in each move. Even a hysterical wife turn into a precise historical rapper in the heat of a trance.
    Therefore an educated, grammer-trained, historically-aware, socially active, writing a lyrics in an era with politically/religiois/socially-conscious people, would not snatch rhymes and context from nothing.
    And the well-selected proper nouns sync with world issues at that time and encapsulated in a song. The multiple layers of meaning is well-embedded with generic words.

    Why would the song start with Babylon in the fertile crescent that brought forth a civilization that gives the current legal system and the biblical center of language.
    Why would America the brave be so wise, a so-called savior (Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, anyone?) Count thy sins, and "false alarms" that destroyed lands and people? Are there no weapon of mass destruction found?

    Why and how come a strangely-dressed man (Ireland, Iran, Iraq, Israel? Seed of Abraham, a native of... Where again?) Qualify as a moral leader leader (wrong and right).
    And yet becomes a central figure (beacon of light) that goes round and about? (Preaching, rallying, exploring?)

    And there's some wise men fighting over who?
    Are they crafting/cooking dirty plans in the scullery something that is anything but light/good in themiddle of the night?Otherwise they would be in the living room during siesta.

    Now who rules the world with gold and petrocurrency?
    What kind of wise men fold when it comes to money?
    (Philosophers ? politicians? Religious leaders? Scientists? Do they?)
    But they never ever fight over you? (Thinkers not necessarily doers? Minority? Opposition? Its just business? In the pursuit of knowledge/ happiness).
    And when these petro/gold powers conquer and burn the history of the conquered. What better way to preserve history but thru a good song that will forever be sung and remembered and passed on... like this song.
    Even the liberal and communist will remember, they never forget.

    I think this is too much random rambling so i'll stop for now.
    Add your reply
    View -4 more meanings

    Write about your feelings and thoughts about The Riddle

    Know what this song is about? Does it mean anything special hidden between the lines to you? Share your meaning with community, make it interesting and valuable. Make sure you've read our simple tips.
    U
    Min 50 words
    Not bad
    Good
    Awesome!

    Top meanings Post my meaning

    • U
      + 3
      Unregistered
      For a so-called "gibberish song" that challenged a lot of Nik Kershaw fans to think that its lyrics... Read more →

    official video

    Featured lyrics

    0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z