"Jack of Shadows" is a song by British space rock band Hawkwind, released on their 1984 album "Stonehenge". The song tells the story of a mysterious, nocturnal outlaw named Jack of Shadows who is a daemon of darkness, a brother to the night, and the king of dimensions on the other side of light. He wears a cloak of constellations that hides his face and has ultraviolet eyesight that gives him the vision of cats-eye infrared. Jack of Shadows is portrayed as a thief who steals from the future and fades without a trace. He is also a master of deception, playing his games in the flickering forms of velvet dark. The song suggests that Jack of Shadows is a symbol of the darker aspects of the human psyche, representing the unknown and mysterious aspects of ourselves that we keep hidden from others. When Jack of Shadows passes by, he casts shades of mystery black flowing like molasses. The song suggests that Jack of Shadows is constantly on the move, always running into the umbra as fast as a shark, traveling through all of the umbras quicker than the dead. In essence, "Jack of Shadows" is a song that celebrates the unknown and mysterious aspects of life, and encourages us to embrace the darker sides of ourselves. The song's haunting melody and lyrics evoke a sense of mystery and otherworldliness, making it a favorite among fans of space rock and psychedelic music.
