Innocence

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a longing for a past state of pure, untroubled belief. The narrator recalls sensory details – the "sweet smell of incense," the "lights on the Christmas tree," and the "first kiss by the river" – all tied to moments of profound, unquestioning faith and joy. These memories are presented as anchors to a time when things "made complete sense," particularly in the context of religious ritual and childhood wonder. The central tension lies in the contrast between this idealized past and the present, marked by "tears" and an awareness of "whatever the future sends." The narrator explicitly states a choice: "I choose innocence." This isn't a return to childhood but a conscious decision to embrace the *feeling* or *quality* of innocence, perhaps as a coping mechanism or a desired state of being amidst life's complexities. The repeated phrase "sweet smell of innocence" acts as a powerful olfactory motif, linking the sacred (incense, benediction) with the personal (childhood, first love). This sensory connection grounds the abstract concept of innocence in tangible experience. The juxtaposition of "prayers and the bells" with "first kiss by the river" suggests that this cherished innocence encompasses both spiritual devotion and nascent romantic experience, highlighting its all-encompassing nature in memory. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their ability to evoke a universal yearning for simpler times and untainted emotions. By grounding abstract feelings in concrete sensory details and framing the choice of innocence as an active decision, the narrator makes the desire for this state palpable and relatable, offering a sense of solace in its remembered sweetness.