First of May

Song Meaning

“First of May” paints a vivid picture of a childhood love that matured alongside its subjects. The lyrics contrast youthful wonder with the stark realities of adulthood. A specific, unnamed sorrow looms on a particular spring day. It's a poignant reflection on time's relentless march. The core emotional tension lies in the narrator's unwavering belief that “our love will never die” even as they anticipate shared grief: “guess we'll cry come first of May.” This paradox suggests a bond so profound it transcends physical separation, yet acknowledges the pain of a past that couldn't last. The lyrics hint at an external force, “Someone else moved in,” as the catalyst for this bittersweet parting, leaving the exact reasons for the separation unspoken but deeply felt. The most striking craft element is the reversal of scale, brilliantly captured in the shift from “Christmas trees were tall” to “Christmas trees are small.” This simple yet profound imagery effectively conveys the passage of time and the altered perspective of adulthood, where once-grand childhood wonders shrink. Similarly, the “apple tree” and its “apples falling one by one” serve as a gentle, natural metaphor for the inevitable progression of life and perhaps the quiet dissolution of their shared world. These lyrics resonate because they ground grand themes of enduring love and loss in specific, tangible memories. The narrator's recollection of “The day you kissed my cheek, then you were gone” pinpoints the exact moment of departure, making the abstract concept of “time has passed us by” intensely personal.