Song Meaning

The lyrics capture an intense, silent encounter. A speaker spots a "passing stranger" and feels an immediate, profound recognition. This isn't just a glance; it's a "longingly" felt connection that transcends the moment, hinting at a deep, unspoken history. The core tension lies in the paradox of a fleeting moment carrying the weight of an entire shared history. The speaker believes, "You must be he I was seeking, or she I was seeking," implying a lifelong search culminating in this brief, unacknowledged interaction. It's a recognition that comes "as of a dream," blurring the lines between present reality and a deeply felt, almost spiritual memory. The lyrical craft masterfully juxtaposes the transient nature of the encounter with an imagined, eternal bond. The speaker observes "we flit by each other," describing a brief physical proximity, yet this is immediately followed by a declaration of having "somewhere surely lived a life of joy with you." This past connection is described with a complex intimacy: "fluid, affectionate, chaste, matured." The lines "your body has become not yours only, nor left my body mine only" further suggest an almost mystical merging, where individual identities dissolve into a shared, timeless essence, despite the physical distance. What makes these lyrics so effective is the speaker's silent, unwavering commitment to this perceived bond. Despite the instruction "I am not to speak to you," there's a powerful internal resolve: "I am to wait--I do not doubt I am to meet you again." This isn't a casual hope, but a determined, almost fated certainty, creating a poignant sense of destiny in the face of an anonymous street encounter.