Song Meaning
These lyrics open with a profound sense of loss, immediately establishing a forgotten dream. This fading memory is likened to "yesterday's tears that dried on the pillow," a vivid image that grounds the abstract idea of loss in a tangible, lingering sadness. The rhetorical question, "Who remembers now what was forgotten?" underscores the finality of things slipping away.
The narrative then shifts to a specific, cherished memory, directly addressing a listener: "You remember how last summer / By the big sea we went for a walk." This past scene is bathed in a "great light" and marked by a time when the addressed person "didn't know sorrow yet." This stark contrast between a radiant, innocent past and the present's implied pain creates a powerful emotional tension, suggesting a significant shift in circumstances or understanding.
The final stanza brings the listener firmly into the present with the repeated phrase, "Quietly, quietly with weeping." This repetition emphasizes a hushed, persistent sorrow, suggesting an intimate moment of distress rather than an outward display. The plea that follows, "Speak sense and we will talk," highlights a desire for rational connection and understanding amidst overwhelming emotion, revealing a struggle to bridge the gap between feeling and articulation. The instrumental outro leaves this tension unresolved, allowing the quiet sorrow to linger.