A Farewell

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a poignant farewell, framing it as a natural, inevitable progression. The speaker addresses a "cold rivulet," urging it to flow to the sea, signifying an end to their personal journey along its banks. This movement is framed as absolute: "No more by thee my steps shall be, / For ever and for ever." The repetition of this phrase underscores the finality of the departure, creating a sense of quiet resignation. The central tension lies between the speaker's departure and the enduring presence of nature. While the speaker's steps will no longer tread the familiar path, the natural elements remain. The alder tree will sigh, the aspen will shiver, and the bee will hum, all continuing their existence "here." This contrast highlights the transient nature of human presence against the backdrop of nature's perpetual cycle. The most striking craft element is the consistent, almost hypnotic repetition of "For ever and for ever." This phrase, initially suggesting eternity, takes on a melancholic weight when paired with the speaker's permanent absence. The lyrics also employ a gentle, flowing rhythm, mirroring the "rivulet" and "river" it describes, which enhances the feeling of passive acceptance of this permanent separation. What makes these lyrics resonate is their understated portrayal of loss. There's no dramatic outcry, only a quiet acknowledgment of a path no longer taken. The focus on the natural world continuing its course imbues the farewell with a sense of peace, suggesting that while the speaker moves on, life, in its own way, continues unabated.