It Was...

Song Meaning

These lyrics paint a vivid, fragmented memory of a departure in 1964. The narrator recounts a reunion's end, marked by the poignant actions of dogs at a train station. It's a scene steeped in separation and a deep sense of loss. The core tension here lies in the unavoidable parting, amplified by the dogs' desperate loyalty. They "pull hard" as if resisting the inevitable, then frantically "jumping, jumping" at the train's "bars of the windows." This imagery powerfully externalizes the pain of those left behind, suggesting a bond being severed against their will. The narrator's struggle with recalling the exact year—"19...er...erm"—is a striking element, underscoring the passage of time and the fragility of memory. This hesitation contrasts sharply with the vivid, almost cinematic details of the dogs "follow, follow the train!" The repeated action words emphasize the animals' frantic energy, while the narrator's verbal stumbles highlight the human effort to grasp a fading past. The raw, conversational delivery, complete with interjections like "Whoop!" and the abrupt "Sometimes, not at all! We cried a lot," lends an undeniable authenticity to the recollection. It feels less like a polished narrative and more like an overheard confession. This unvarnished honesty makes the emotional weight of the memory, particularly the shared grief, resonate with a profound, understated power.