Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a defiant picture of enduring love or partnership against external doubt. The opening lines immediately establish a narrative of overcoming naysayers who predicted their downfall, framing the present moment as a triumph over "narrow plans." This sets up a core theme of proving doubters wrong and existing on a different, more profound plane than those who underestimate them.
The central tension lies in the contrast between the couple's perceived destiny and the world's limited vision. The repeated assertion that they were "meant to be / Much more than they could see" highlights a profound, almost cosmic connection that transcends ordinary understanding. This elevates their relationship beyond a simple pairing to something fated and significant, especially as the world "waste[s] away" around them.
The chorus, with its grand pronouncements like "shaping the spaces" and "princes of the universe," is the lyrical engine driving this defiance. It's a declaration of agency and self-importance, suggesting they are not just surviving but actively creating their reality and legacy. The imagery of the "temple of the evening Son" adds a layer of mystical significance, positioning their shared existence as sacred and eternal.
This sense of enduring power is further solidified by the bridge's evocative, almost surreal imagery. The "raven in the tower clock" and the "woman by the endless well" drawing from "the mouth of hell" suggest ancient, perhaps even dark, forces at play. Yet, the woman's pronouncement, "And these are the days," implies a stoic acceptance and continuation, mirroring the narrator's own resolve. The lyrics effectively use this elevated, almost mythic language to imbue the couple's bond with an extraordinary resilience and purpose, making their shared existence feel like a deliberate act of creation against the backdrop of a fading world.