There Was Love

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of an all-encompassing, eternal force called "love." It’s presented not just as an emotion, but as a fundamental aspect of existence, predating life itself and continuing through all time. The narrator asserts that love was present even in the darkest moments, suggesting it’s an unwavering constant, a cosmic truth that underpins everything. This perspective frames love as an inherent part of the universe, always there, whether acknowledged or not. The central tension arises from the narrator's personal journey of seeking and finally recognizing this ever-present love. There’s a clear contrast between the narrator's past struggles and feelings of despair – "days when I thought that I was through" – and the eventual realization that love was active even then, "when I cried, I know love cried too." This suggests a profound shift from a self-centered search to an understanding of love's omnipresence. The most striking aspect of the craft is the relentless repetition of "there was love" and its variations, creating a mantra-like effect. This insistence reinforces the core message of love's constancy. The lyrics also employ a grand, almost cosmic scope, starting with "stars in the heavens" and extending to the very inception of life, grounding the personal discovery within a universal framework. The phrase "without exception" is key, emphasizing the absolute nature of this love. What makes these lyrics resonate is their comforting assertion of an unconditional, foundational love. The writing moves from a broad, almost spiritual declaration to a personal epiphany, suggesting that even during personal hardship, this love was a silent, persistent presence. The final realization, finding love "in a place I never would have dreamed of," offers a sense of unexpected grace and profound peace, confirming that the search, though difficult, led to an undeniable truth.