An Angel
Declan Galbraith
Dreams of Flight and Angelic Aspirations
Declan Galbraith's song "An Angel" is a poetic exploration of longing, dreams, and the desire for transcendence. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the narrator's yearning to possess the ethereal qualities of an angel, symbolized by the wish for a pair of wings. This desire is rooted in the dreamlike imagery of chasing butterflies and experiencing a magical sky filled with angels. The repeated wish to be an angel or to be like the person addressed in the song suggests a deep admiration and a longing to escape the mundane reality for a more divine existence.
The song's chorus, "Sometimes I wish I were an angel, sometimes I wish I were you," highlights a dual longing: one for the purity and freedom associated with angelic beings, and the other for the qualities embodied by the person the narrator admires. This duality reflects a common human experience of wanting to transcend one's limitations while also aspiring to be like those we hold in high regard. The imagery of sweet honey and honey kisses further enhances the sense of a heavenly, almost utopian, experience that the narrator craves.
However, the song also acknowledges the presence of danger and unfairness in the world, as mentioned in the lines about danger in the air. Despite these threats, the narrator expresses a sense of fearlessness, suggesting a resilience and determination to pursue their dreams and desires. This blend of longing, admiration, and resilience makes "An Angel" a deeply emotional and relatable song, capturing the universal human aspiration for something greater and more beautiful than the everyday reality.