Comes and Goes

Song Meaning

Dan Fogelberg’s "Comes and Goes" paints a portrait of a relationship defined by its instability, a push-and-pull dynamic that leaves the narrator perpetually heartbroken yet hopelessly devoted. The central metaphor of the woman as the night, the tide, and ivy reveals the complexity of her character and the narrator's perception of her. She is cyclical, powerful, and capable of both nurturing and suffocating love. The essence of the song meaning lies in this paradox: the woman's presence brings joy and fulfillment, but her inevitable departure inflicts deep emotional pain. It's a cycle of hope and despair. The lyrics suggest a painful awareness of this pattern, but also an inability to break free. The narrator seems resigned to the fact that his sorrow will be equal to the time he lives, trapped in a loop of emotional highs and lows. Fogelberg uses natural imagery to emphasize the woman's unpredictable nature. Like the tide, she is governed by forces beyond the narrator's control; he can only observe her movements and brace himself for the inevitable ebb and flow. The ivy metaphor introduces a darker element – a 'twisted love' that wraps around his soul. This suggests a codependent relationship where the narrator's identity is intertwined with the woman's presence. The mention of a 'sudden winter' hints at a fear of abandonment, a premonition that the woman will eventually seek warmth and affection elsewhere, leaving him exposed to the cold. Ultimately, "Comes and Goes" is a poignant exploration of love's inherent uncertainties. The narrator's vulnerability is laid bare as he grapples with the woman's inconsistent affection. He acknowledges her enigmatic nature ('She knows the things that I can just suppose'), implying a power imbalance in the relationship. Despite the pain, there's a lingering hope that 'there'll come a time when she will come to stay.' This fragile hope, juxtaposed with the overwhelming sense of sorrow, encapsulates the bittersweet essence of the song. It’s a relatable sentiment for anyone who has experienced the intoxicating allure and devastating heartbreak of an on-again, off-again romance.