Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of serene intimacy, contrasting the fleeting nature of time with the enduring comfort of shared presence. The opening lines evoke a sense of gentle pursuit, with days of "myrrh and frankincense" chasing "nights of silk," suggesting a luxurious, perhaps even dreamlike, passage of time. This sets a tranquil stage, as the "city opens its window / to catch a dream in a net," hinting at the ephemeral beauty being observed and cherished.
The core of the song lies in the simple, profound affirmation: "And how good, how good / That we have each other." This refrain acts as an anchor, grounding the more poetic imagery in a tangible emotional reality. The repetition emphasizes the deep contentment found in companionship, a feeling so potent it's likened to "our Song of Songs" – a biblical reference to passionate, idealized love. The scene unfolds on a "small balcony," with "coffee on a copper tray" and "all the beds of perfume," creating an intimate, sensory-rich environment where this feeling can flourish.
The narrator’s actions further highlight this tender connection. Sitting "in secret, a step / Watching from the window," they express a desire to gently place "your delicate hand / in my hand." Later, the narrator invites their beloved to "make room a little by your side," offering their arm for comfort and their other arm for embrace. These gestures are quiet, deliberate acts of closeness, underscoring the song's central theme of finding profound solace and joy in the simple fact of being together.
