Think of What You’ve Done

Song Meaning

These lyrics open with a raw, disbelieving question, confronting a departing lover with the stark reality of loss. The speaker grapples with the sudden, painful end of a relationship, asking, "Is it true" that it's over. It's a moment of profound shock and immediate heartbreak, pulling the listener into the speaker's vulnerability. The central tension here lies between the speaker's desperate need and the partner's apparent decision to leave. The lyrics emphasize the depth of the speaker's devotion, declaring that "Loving you has been my life." This makes the breakup feel like an existential crisis, underscored by the poignant plea for the partner to "think of what you've done" after all the shared "pain and sorrow." A particularly effective craft element is the simple, yet powerful imagery of dependency: "Like the flowers need the dew." This classic simile grounds the abstract pain in a tangible, natural comparison, highlighting an essential, life-sustaining need. It's a stark and beautiful way to convey the speaker's complete reliance on the partner, contrasting sharply with the partner's perceived indifference. The final stanza shifts from direct address to a poignant declaration of retreat. The speaker's decision to "go back to old Virginia" and wish to "stay there till I die" isn't an act of anger, but a profound resignation. This move to a place where love was first learned suggests an attempt to preserve the memory, even if it means living in a past that can no longer be. The lyrics become deeply effective by showing how deep love can lead to a quiet, almost poetic surrender to sorrow.