This Nearly Was Mine

Song Meaning

These lyrics paint a vivid picture of a love that existed purely in the realm of imagination and longing. The narrator remembers "kisses / From lips I've never owned" and "lovely adventures / That we have never known." It's a poignant reflection on a future that was intensely desired but never came to pass. The central emotional tension here is the profound ache of a near-miss. The repeated phrase, "This nearly was mine," acts as a haunting refrain, underscoring the tantalizing closeness of a dream that ultimately slipped away. The narrator fixates on a singular, idealized vision: "One dream in my heart / One love to be living for," elevating the potential relationship to a state of ultimate fulfillment, a "promise of paradise." The craft truly shines in how it depicts the fleeting nature of this almost-love. The lines "Close to my heart she came / Only to fly away / Only to fly as day flies from moonlight" offer a stunning, naturalistic metaphor for an inevitable, gentle separation. The comparison to day and moonlight suggests a natural order to the departure, making the loss feel both personal and universally understood, rather than a harsh rejection. Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they capture the enduring power of a cherished, unfulfilled dream. Despite the present reality of being "alone," the narrator is "Still dreaming of paradise," suggesting that the hope or memory of what nearly was continues to shape their inner world. It's a testament to the human capacity for holding onto an ideal, even when reality has moved on.