Meaning of "Oceandust" by Hands Like Houses

The lyrics of "Oceandust" by Hands Like Houses convey a powerful message about the desire for authenticity and inner peace. The opening lines, "There's no more wind to be found in the sails, Hands full of fallen stars and comet tails," suggest a feeling of exhaustion and the weight of unfulfilled dreams. The metaphor of rivers of sand slipping through the hands represents the inability to grasp or hold onto meaningful experiences. The narrator acknowledges that their burdens pale in comparison to what others have seen, which could hint at a sense of guilt for feeling overwhelmed by their own struggles.

The chorus highlights the narrator's desire for honesty and authenticity. They refuse to pretend to be stronger than they truly are or to hide the sadness they feel. They long for a sense of stability, wanting to know they are "steady on [their] feet." The line "I don't want to pretend, so peace will be real to me" reflects the yearning for genuine peace, not just the appearance of it. This suggests that the narrator has likely experienced moments of false peace or temporary relief, but they desire something more lasting and authentic.

The mention of waves and how they scrub away blood implies that even the natural ebb and flow of life's challenges cannot fully cleanse the pain or heal emotional wounds. This further reinforces the narrator's longing for true peace.

Overall, "Oceandust" speaks to the universal desire for authenticity and genuine peace amidst personal struggles and burdens. It encourages the listener to embrace vulnerability and reject the pressure to pretend that everything is fine. Instead, the lyrics suggest finding solace in accepting one's own limitations and seeking a deeper sense of peace within oneself.