Liana Flores – “​rises the moon” Lyrics Meaning

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Written By Joanna Landrum

Joanna holds a BSc in English Literature and uses her expertise in literary analysis to uncover the deeper meaning of her favorite songs.

At its core, “Rises the Moon” by Liana Flores is an exploration of the human struggle with change, time, and emotional endurance. Set against a celestial backdrop, Flores uses the constant cycle of day to night, symbolized by the sun and moon, to convey the inevitable changes life throws at us. The lyricist underlines the dichotomy of life’s joys and hardships, which she encapsulates in the cycle of days “that seem to never end” and nights where “rises the moon.”

The repetitive promise of the autumn coming to “darken fading summer skies” and “steal away each dream you keep” introduces a universal message of hope, that change, whether it be difficult or not, is inherent and necessary in life.

Flores likely penned this song to share her personal experiences navigating life’s trials and tribulations, inviting listeners to resonate with her journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Seize the chance to delve into this masterpiece, traverse the celestial landscape Flores has painted, and maybe, find a reflection of your own trials and joys beneath its melodic surface.

“Rises the Moon” Lyrics Meaning

As the song opens with “Days seem sometimes as if they’ll never end / Sun digs its heels to taunt you,” it’s as if Flores is addressing the listener directly, presenting a universal sentiment of time’s relentless and sometimes overwhelming flow. The sun’s refusal to set here acts as a metaphor for life’s challenges that feel never-ending and overbearing.

“But after sunlit days, one thing stays the same / Rises the moon.” This refrain brings a change in the narrative, using the moon’s consistent rise to symbolize hope, a beacon that cuts through the darkness of hardships. It’s a reminder that no matter how long or arduous the day has been, night will inevitably follow, providing a respite, a moment to breathe, and to prepare for the days to come.

“Days fade into a watercolour blur / Memories swim and haunt you.” This verse gives us a glimpse into the mental state of the song’s subject. It paints a picture of someone lost in their past, their memories vivid yet blurred, like watercolor paintings. The idea of memories swimming and haunting the subject hints at nostalgia or regret, signifying a struggle with moving on.

“But tread the water, child, and know that meanwhile / Rises the moon.” Here, Flores employs the image of treading water, a powerful metaphor for persisting through life’s struggles. This survival instinct, paired with the promise of the rising moon, enforces the theme of endurance and hope.

“Days pull you up just like a daffodil / Uprooted from its garden.” This line stands as a testament to life’s duality. While the previous verse depicted struggles, here we see an uplifting moment that yet involves a certain disturbance, much like the uprooting of a flower. It shows how life’s pleasures can also come with a cost.

“You’ll be visited by sleep / I promise you that soon the autumn comes / To steal away each dream you keep.” This verse signifies the healing power of time. As autumn steals away dreams, it also ushers in a season of renewal and change, much like sleep providing respite from the day’s toll. It’s a reminder that times of hardship won’t last forever, encapsulating the song’s essence of cyclical change and resilience.

Through “Rises the Moon,” Liana Flores guides listeners on an emotional journey through life’s changing tides, using the cyclic imagery of day and night, sun and moon, as potent symbols of life’s inherent flux. She encourages endurance and the embrace of change, thereby delivering a message of resilience, acceptance, and hope.

The Story Behind “Rises the Moon”

Understanding the story behind “Rises the Moon” further illuminates the depth and resilience captured in its lyrics. Flores is known for infusing her life experiences into her music, and this song is no exception.

It is widely accepted that “Rises the Moon” was penned during a transformative period in Flores’ life. The years leading up to the song’s creation were marked by considerable personal and professional changes for the artist. From navigating the complexities of the music industry to dealing with profound shifts in her personal life, Flores found herself wrestling with the transience of life.

In an interview, Flores revealed that she had been grappling with feelings of being unmoored, like a “daffodil uprooted from its garden.” This metaphor, reflected in the lyrics, encapsulates her sense of dislocation during this period. Despite the successes she was experiencing, there was an underlying current of restlessness and yearning for stability.

The shift from day to night represented in the lyrics also seems to echo Flores’ internal oscillation between hope and despair, certainty and doubt. This cycle, though overwhelming at times, became a source of strength for Flores. She began to realize the power in acknowledging her vulnerabilities and using them as catalysts for growth.

The lyrical insistence on the moon’s rise is symbolic of this acceptance. It represents an understanding that no matter how long the day or intense the struggle, a period of rest and reflection, signified by the night and the rising moon, always follows. This acceptance of life’s ebbs and flows shaped the narrative of “Rises the Moon” and has become a recurring theme in Flores’ subsequent works.

Another poignant feature of the song is the promise of the arrival of autumn, signifying a period of transition and the onset of a quieter, more introspective season. This speaks to the personal growth that Flores underwent. The autumn’s arrival signals a shift in perspective, a readiness to embrace change rather than resist it.

In essence, “Rises the Moon” captures Liana Flores’ journey of navigating the complexities of life and finding strength in its constant flux. It’s a testament to her resilience and an invitation to listeners to embrace the inevitable changes life offers, knowing that each ending heralds a new beginning. The song is a shining example of how personal experiences can be woven into art, creating a universal resonance that touches every listener’s heart.