Song Meaning
The lyrics open with a solitary moment, as the speaker hears "night birds calling," stirring up "mem'ries of days gone by." This simple image immediately establishes a reflective, melancholic mood. A recurring question, "do you wonder why," frames this quiet contemplation, hinting at a deeper, unresolved emotional landscape.
The central tension quickly emerges: the speaker's enduring love despite a definitive separation. They acknowledge, "Now that we are not together / We have said our last goodbye." Yet, this finality is directly contrasted with an unwavering internal state, as the speaker admits, "I don't know why I still love you." This creates a poignant sense of love persisting beyond reason or circumstance.
The craft here hinges on the evolving repetition of that central query. Initially a general, almost wistful thought, "And do you wonder why" gains increasing weight with each stanza. By the final lines, it sharpens into a direct, almost accusatory "Do you wonder why I love you / After what you did to me." This shift reveals the question isn't just for the former lover, but a profound internal struggle for the speaker themselves.
Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they capture the stubborn, often illogical nature of deep affection. The speaker's confusion, coupled with the implied past hurt, makes their unwavering love feel less naive and more profoundly human. It's a raw portrayal of an emotion that defies simple explanation, culminating in the simple, undeniable truth: "But I do it's plain to see."