Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of youthful impatience and the sting of unrequited affection, all centered around the elusive Augustin. Initially, the narrator, a young woman, pleads with her mother to let her go out, emphasizing that her friend Augustin shouldn't be left waiting. There's a clear sense of urgency, a fear that if Augustin experiences even a moment of being stood up, he'll never return. This sets up a dynamic where the narrator is desperate to please and keep Augustin’s attention. The core tension arises from Augustin’s perceived invincibility and the narrator’s yearning. He’s described as a “king,” popular and never waiting for a girl who’s in love, suggesting a confident, perhaps even arrogant, demeanor. The narrator’s frantic preparations – “Hold my hat! Where are the shoes?” – highlight her eagerness and the high stakes she places on this meeting. She’s rushing, worried about being late, and even notes a dropped stitch, a small imperfection in her haste to be with him. The narrative takes a turn when the perspective shifts to Augustin. He’s surprised and annoyed by the narrator’s tardiness, finding her nonchalance unacceptable. This reveals a double standard: he expects promptness from others but seems to have been careless with her feelings. The lyrics then offer a poignant observation on desire: “that which one does not get / is precisely what one wants.” This philosophical aside perfectly encapsulates the narrator’s situation – her longing intensifies because Augustin isn't readily available or perhaps even interested. Ultimately, the song illustrates a reversal of fortune. Augustin eventually experiences the same waiting and yearning he inflicted on others, finding himself “equally in love.” The narrator’s initial desperation is replaced by a quiet understanding of life’s ironies.