Song Meaning
This brief lyric paints a picture of a deliberate act of communication, an attempt to capture a feeling and send it across distance. The narrator imagines the physical process: writing "Hummingbird," sealing it, and mailing it, suggesting a tangible effort to convey something abstract. It's a quiet, almost ritualistic gesture, meant to evoke a specific memory and emotion in the recipient, Tess.
The core of the message appears to be a deep, enduring love, tied to shared past experiences. The act of writing the word "Hummingbird" isn't just a random choice; it's a trigger, a specific signifier intended to unlock a flood of memories. The narrator emphasizes the intensity of this affection with the phrase "just how much, just how much I love you," a repetition that underscores the depth and perhaps the difficulty of fully expressing it.
The effectiveness lies in its simplicity and the implied intimacy. The narrator trusts that this single word, sent through the mail, will be enough to bridge the gap and reignite a shared past. It’s a testament to the power of shared symbols and the enduring nature of love, even when expressed through such a spare, almost minimalist, act.