Lyrics	What Others Interpret taken from Genius. Com	My Interpretation
Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again	The first line highlights the key theme of the song, alienation and the inability for people to talk to one another. He takes comfort in venting his thoughts and emotions to the darkness, because it is the only “person” willing to listen. I used to go off in the bathroom, because the bathroom had tiles, so it was a slight echo chamber. I’d turn on the faucet so that water would run — I like that sound, it’s very soothing to me — and I’d play. In the dark. – Paul Simon	Here is a lack of relationship to the light who is better friend who does listen HE is more of a friend than darkness. Because HE can do something about it.
Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence	These lines lead us to believe that Simon had an inspiring dream, the vision of which can be easily recalled when he seeks out the comfort within the darkness.	Darkness never reveals anything so whatever dream you had from darkness is that it is sure to keep you from the light and the saving of your soul or other souls.
In restless dreams I walked alone Narrow streets of cobblestone 'Neath the halo of a street lamp I turned my collar to the cold and damp When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light That split the night And touched the sound of silence	The story of it is that the author has a dream about ten thousand people bowing to a god they made of neon light. The god represents the fake and shallow culture they are building on pop stars and the dollar bill. The author feels as if he is the only one who is not content with living in the fake, trivial culture that was stated.	This world had to be cursed so that man would cry out for mercy and seek the light of God. Turning up his collar is a action to shutting out the world giving up.
And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people, maybe more People talking without speaking People hearing without listening	Simon seeks to convey a message of how ignorance taints the minds of so many people. Silence refers to submission. He reveals how people so foolishly follow rulers without actually knowing a ruler’s true intentions and background. People hearing without listening reveals a people’s willingness to take heed to the commands spoken by a leader without fully realizing the consequences of this obedience. Alternately, this could be a continuation of the song’s theme about people’s isolation and failure to communicate with or understand each other. The play on words compares talking (making sounds with your mouth) to speaking (saying something meaningful or true); it makes a similar distinction for hearing (sound entering the ear) compared to listening (trying to understand).	Jesus said we have eyes to see but we do not see we have ears to hear but we do not hear. Man is a result of war that began in heaven and continues here on the earth. Darkness and light using us as chess pieces in their game that God did not start.
People writing songs that voices never share No one dared Disturb the sound of silence	This is not as form fitting here but it is somewhat foreign in the song itself and may be a songwriter’s (in this case Simon’s) translation for a message especially an original one which will never be entertained by the T.V.’s captive audience.	We all have a song and most of us never share that song for fear of ridicule or rejection. I was not the child in school who raised his hand because of what little self esteem I had. I was afraid what little I had would be taken away. Then I wouldn't exist at all.
"Fools" said I, "You do not know Silence like a cancer grows Hear my words that I might teach you Take my arms that I might reach you" But my words like silent raindrops fell And echoed in the wells of silence	Simon tries to warn the people in his dream, but his warning is swallowed in the abyss of dismissal as no one will listen to him. Silence, like cancer, is an abnormal unhealthy growth. Here he makes the statement to refuse to communicate and listen to others only begets more silence and miscommunication. Very much like cancer cells, the silence replicates and consumes our relationships leaving us alienated. His remarks fall upon deaf ears that echo in the wells of silence.	I do no longer wish to remain Silent on Silence attacking Catholicism is not attacking God at all it is delivering those in the darkness. To say nothing is to stand with them and allow it. It can not be Justified if we are to win the world to Jesus.
And the people bowed and prayed To the neon god they made	This song may refer to a particular nation or people, but most likely it refers to people in general who submit themselves too freely. The song continues to describe the people’s capitulation in several lines, most notably in these words.	We worship something because man was made to worship it may be your favorite ball club, or a particular person who has their name in lights.
And the sign flashed out its warning In the words that it was forming	Neon signs are similar to traffic devices, they were made to grab our attention and tell us what to do. Unfortunately all the signs were ignored (pun intended). This last warning has a repeating theme, over and over the warning is issued. Did the people pay attention to this sign, did they heed its warning? Continuing the golden calf theme, the signs people are worshiping are warning them against doing exactly that – but the superficially attractive brightness of the medium is more effective than the content of the message. (E.g. this pop song gets used as just another pop song to consume, rather than heard and understood.)	These seven websites are a warning of the day you live in for some it is hope and they rejoice in it for others the message is one of dread, for it is a sure sign of wrath that is coming against those in darkness. Who should have never been your friend it is he who gave you the wrong things to worship.
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets Are written on the subway walls And tenement halls" And whispered in the sounds of silence	“Writing on the wall” is a biblical reference that refers to a prophesy of doom. Daniel 5:5 tells the story of an arrogant king of the Babylonians who worshiped gods of gold and silver. Suddenly a hand appeared and wrote a mysterious message on the wall of the palace. Daniel was summoned to interpret the message; he explained that God was angry with the king for his blasphemy and would end his reign. The king was slain that very night and his kingdom divided. Tenement houses are the apartment buildings in the slums, usually squalid and overcrowded. Instead of being written on a palace wall where the richest will see it, the only people who see the approaching doom are the poor. The lyrics suggest that the prophets who write or are able to interpret the warning are themselves poor, possibly because they refuse to worship the gods of neon and gold. This is a bit more deductive. There is a train of thought that a prophet is not recognized in his own house, which is another issue on itself, but this lyric implies that the true prophets are living in Subways and Tenements. There is also a hint of the read the writing on the wall saying which is generally a call to face reality, which either way you view the lyric the neon god defers truth and possibly power to the words on the walls and halls. Graffiti-esque literature is what you indeed find on those specific walls and halls. Ironically or not those without a voice in society are the ones who use this dissemination of information for self expression, i.e. crack is wack murals. This means look to the people with no voice (or silenced) to hear the truth/prophecy. As we recall the dreamer or Simon was him/herself one of those people without a voice silenced by the crowd. The ending is an enigma. The words tell us that when meaningful communication fails, the only sound is silence.	Here we are again the handwriting on the wall this time done in the crop fields of England. The message it is ending sides must be chosen those who deface public property need to repent. A good Christian would not deface walls. This messenger says Be still and know that HE is God listen in the silence and hear how much HE loves you and how much you mean to HIM. HE sent HIS only SON to show you how much HE valued you. Will, you now today of your own free will stop being silent and give your life to Jesus? Speak to the light it has all the answers you seek and is by far the better friend then darkness.

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