Song Meaning
These lyrics paint a portrait of someone profoundly significant yet elusive. The speaker describes an individual as an all-encompassing force, a "mystery" that defines their world. There's an immediate sense of wonder, almost reverence, for this person's presence.
The central tension arises from this grand adoration clashing with a subtle but persistent sense of absence. The subject is the "sun and the moon and the rain," yet also a "change / That our eyes can no longer see." This suggests a past intimacy or a current distance, implying that this powerful presence is now perceived more through memory or imagination than direct experience.
The craft here is particularly effective in its use of escalating, almost divine imagery. The subject transitions from elemental forces to a "star in the sky" and an "angel in heaven divine," culminating in the declaration that even "gold in the mines / Can't outshine you, baby." This progression elevates the individual to an almost mythical status, valuing them beyond any earthly measure.
Ultimately, the lyrics are effective because they create a figure of immense, almost unattainable beauty and power, while simultaneously hinting at a poignant separation. The speaker holds this person as a "dream" and must now "sing songs of make-believe," reinforcing the idea that this profound connection exists more in the realm of internal longing than present reality. The repetition of the opening stanza underscores the enduring, yet unresolved, nature of this mystery.