We Are Two

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of an intense, almost cosmic love, where the narrator yearns for a perfect, eternal union. The opening stanza conjures fantastical imagery of two living things, like "two fishes tumbling" or "two eagles turning," to represent the couple's desired state of freedom and enduring love. This desire for an unbreakable bond is so profound that it extends beyond the natural limits of existence, imagining a time when the "sea ran dry" and the "earth dropped in the sun" before they finally become "one." This yearning for closeness is further emphasized by the wish for a magical "passage underground" to reach the beloved's home, highlighting a desire to bypass physical distance and societal perception. The narrator imagines a clandestine arrival, even suggesting a staged disappearance, to be with their love in a private "paradise." This fantasy underscores the all-consuming nature of their affection, where the outside world becomes irrelevant. The lyrics then shift to a powerful metaphor of love as a growing tree, its "kingdom" stretching vast distances and crowned with an eagle, suggesting dominion and majesty. Beneath this grand structure, a luxurious tent adorned with rubies signifies a personal sanctuary. The inscription on the rubies reveals a deep sense of devotion and humility: "I came into the world to serve you / And I may have your love, but not deserve you." This admission of unworthiness adds a poignant layer to the narrator's adoration. Finally, the concept of the beloved's love acting as a protective charm is introduced, capable of warding off all "loss, Disease or danger." This divine protection allows the lover to "travel through the world" without fear. The concluding lines, "And we are two, but neither tall nor short / And equally in love in heart and mind," and "we are two, but one is every sort / Of equal faith and equally combined," solidify the theme of perfect, balanced partnership, where individuality is maintained within a unified whole.