Show Me the Way
Show Me the Way
Written by Dennis DeYoung
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung
Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there's a heaven
And every day I'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I've lost my faith
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way
And as I slowly drift to sleep, for a moment dreams are sacred
I close my eyes and know there's peace in a world so filled with hatred
That I wake up each morning and turn on the news to find we've so far to go
And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that I just won't know
Show me the way, Show me the way
Take me tonight to the mountain
And wash my confusion away
And if I see a light, should I believe
Tell me how will I know
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way, show me the way
Give me the strength and the courage
To believe that I'll get there someday
Show me the way
Every night I say a prayer
In the hope that there's a heaven...
Interpretation
Dedicated to Dennis DeYoung's son Matthew, Show Me The Way is a song of hope and encouragement when the world seems dark and confusing.
Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there's a heaven
And every day I'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I've lost my faith
Whether you pray with confidence in God or pray with a sliver of hope there is someone listening, prayer is a way of communicating our desires, looking for answers, and seeking peace. It's difficult to find solace when those we have put on a pedestal turn out to be flawed humans like the rest of us.
And as I slowly drift to sleep, for a moment dreams are sacred
I close my eyes and know there's peace in a world so filled with hatred
That I wake up each morning and turn on the news to find we've so far to go
And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that I just won't know
After a quick prayer, while drifting to sleep, there is a period of peace, but it is disheartening to wake to world that is just as evil and cruel as the one we sought to escape the night before. Are my prayers heard? I need a sign.
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way
Just as a person might go to the river to be baptized for a symbolic washing away of sins as a sign of repentance, there is a desire to have illusions washed away so we see people and things as they really are.
And if I see a light, should I believe
Tell me how will I know
After being disappointed by those we previously looked up to as role models and leaders, it is hard to put faith in anyone, for fear of being disappointed yet again.
Show me the way, show me the way
Give me the strength and the courage
To believe that I'll get there someday
Show me the way
Maintaining hope through trials and tribulations requires strength and courage. Instead of asking to have our circumstances change, it can help to ask for the ability to get through life in spite of our circumstances.
Every night I say a prayer
In the hope that there's a heaven...
Don't give up on prayer. It may seem hopeless at times, but by maintaining a proper perspective, we can get through anything life throws at us.
During the first Gulf War, as Show Me The Way was slowly climbing the charts, Chris Taylor, music director at WAVA-FM in Washington, D.C. and Ray Edwards, a DJ with WOKI-FM in Knoxville, TN each did their own customized "Desert Shield Mix" incorporating television and call-in comments from officials, soldiers and callers as well as C-SPAN's coverage of the House and Senate debates.
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