The lyrics describe feeling far from the person one wants to be and from a more caring, united society. At first, the speaker seems distant from meaningful action and unsure how to change things. The mood then becomes more hopeful: โsunshineโ suggests a new sense of joy or clarity, while the repeated promise to use โearthly powerโ signals a decision to act rather than remain passive.
โLight years awayโ is an exaggeration meaning extremely distant, not necessarily a literal distance. It can describe being far from oneโs goals, values, or sense of belonging. โSunshine in my lifeโ suggests renewed happiness or hope. โEarthly powerโ seems to mean the ability people already have to make choices and bring about change; the lyrics urge listeners to put that ability to use. The references to โbrotherhoodโ and a โduty to assistanceโ connect personal change with helping others.
The song leaves the exact kind of change open. It may be about inner growth, social responsibility, or both: the speaker moves from feeling disconnected toward wanting to contribute. Even so, the repeated returns to โlight years awayโ suggest that progress is not simple or permanent. The speaker keeps trying to come back, implying that becoming the person one wants to be may take repeated effort.