Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship or a shared experience that has endured a long, difficult period, finally reaching a sense of resolution and peace. There's a palpable sense of relief as the narrator states, "it has come to an end" and "we're feeling fine." The presence of "old friends" who "kept us in check" suggests a support system that helped navigate the challenges, preventing things from completely derailing. This initial phase is described as a "sorry scene," highlighting the struggle that preceded the current calm.
The core tension seems to lie in the precariousness of their situation and the constant effort required to maintain it. The narrator acknowledges a shared fear, "We all can get a little scared," and the cyclical nature of setbacks and recovery: "We fall, but get back up again." This leads to the insistent refrain, "Don't stop / Come on keep trying," emphasizing that giving up would lead to inevitable failure, "If we give up we sink."
The most striking image is the comparison to "a glass bowl and we're the goldfish." This metaphor captures a sense of being trapped, observed, and perhaps limited in their environment, yet still existing within it. It suggests a fragile existence, where their "love" is contained but also vulnerable. The narrator's strong declaration, "I would never allow / I would never let you believe that this is what we wish," indicates a defiance against accepting their current state as ideal, even as they fight to keep it afloat.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their blend of hard-won optimism and stark realism. The repeated "Don't stop" acts as both a plea and a command, resonating with the listener's own experiences of perseverance. The juxtaposition of the "sorry scene" with the current "feeling fine," and the vulnerable "goldfish" image against the determined "get back up again," creates a compelling narrative of resilience in the face of adversity.