Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of a past relationship that has definitively ended, with the narrator acknowledging that the time for reflection or regret has passed. The phrase "The time for that has come and gone" signals a finality, likening the missed opportunities to a "railway station" where trains depart and are no longer available. There's a sense of resignation, a quiet acceptance that dwelling on "If I'd known that then" is unproductive now.
The central tension lies between the lingering echoes of what could have been and the present reality of a built "place inside." This internal sanctuary, described as a space for "sixes, suns and cows" and "little things like memories," seems to be a refuge constructed after the relationship's demise. The narrator questions their past fear of discovering this inner world, suggesting it holds unexpected comfort and connection, like "Sibling trust, lover's dance" and the ability to "Laugh like old friends."
The most striking element is the repetition of "We lay around all of our lives." This phrase, appearing twice, carries a dual weight. Initially, it might suggest a period of stagnation or passive existence within the relationship. However, when revisited after the description of the internal sanctuary, it takes on a new meaning. It could imply that the "place for sixes" is where they *truly* lived, or perhaps that the narrator now understands that a life lived passively together was, in its own way, a form of shared existence that has now been transformed into a solitary, yet rich, internal landscape.
This writing is effective because it moves beyond simple heartbreak to explore the complex process of internalizing loss and rebuilding a sense of self. The contrast between the external finality of the past and the rich, albeit abstract, internal world suggests a quiet strength. The lyrics don't offer easy answers but instead present a nuanced portrait of moving on, finding solace not in what was lost, but in the resilient capacity of the human spirit to create meaning and connection within.