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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