Carrying On

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a yearning for an idealized state, described as "tall and strong and free," like "floating out on the sea." This aspiration feels distant, almost dreamlike, but the narrator expresses a deep desire to reach it. However, a crucial obstacle emerges: the "way out" is gone, suggesting a loss of options or a path that has closed off, leaving a sense of being stuck. The central tension lies in the contrast between this longing for freedom and the reality of being trapped. The narrator questions the definition of love when faced with a relationship that isn't being actively repaired, urging the other person to "just send it" – to exert their power and make an effort. This plea highlights a struggle against stagnation, both internally and in the connection being described. The repeated phrase "carrying on" becomes an anthem of resilience, a determined push forward despite the closed-off "way out." The lyrics suggest a shift from a state of being lost or even "back from the dead" to a newfound strength. The passage of a year, marked as "gone" in the pre-chorus, underscores the duration of this struggle and the eventual emergence of a resolve to persevere. This determination to "carry on" is what makes the lyrics resonate. It's not about a sudden fix, but about the internal decision to keep moving, even when the ideal state feels like a distant dream and the path forward is unclear. The simple, insistent repetition of "carrying on" transforms a potentially bleak situation into a declaration of enduring spirit.