I Can I Will I Do
Love's Persistence: Embracing Doubt in 'I Can I Will I Do'
Lyrics
Friend, this shouldn't be the way things end
Expressing disappointment that the current situation is not ideal for a friendship.
But then, a break is just around the bend.
Suggesting that a positive change or improvement is imminent despite the current difficulties.
And when you tell me as I leave
Referring to a farewell moment where the speaker is told that they may never be seen again.
You're scared you'll never see my face again
Addressing the fear of being forgotten or not seen again by the person leaving.
Well, I'm not sure it's the truth
Doubting the sincerity of the statement and questioning if it is true.
You don't think I can love you
Repetition emphasizing the skepticism about the speaker's capacity to love.
You don't think I can love you
-You don't think I can love you
-But I can and I will and I do
Asserting the speaker's ability and willingness to love despite doubts.
You write, I read your letters every night
Acknowledging the reception of letters from the other person.
All right, I skim then just to be polite.
Admitting to not fully engaging with the letters, only reading them out of politeness.
I fight embarrassment and shame
Struggling with feelings of embarrassment and shame associated with the person mentioned in the letters.
The mention of your name makes me turn white
Describing a physical reaction (turning white) triggered by the mention of the person's name.
But guilt still makes me refrain
Choosing to refrain from responding due to lingering guilt.
You don't think I can love you
Repetition reinforcing the doubt about the speaker's capacity to love.
You don't think I can love you
-You don't think I can love you
-But I can and I will and I do
Reiterating the speaker's capability and commitment to love despite doubts.
I imagine you think I don't think of you
Addressing the misconception that the speaker doesn't think about the person.
You know you couldn't be more wrong
Correcting the misconception and affirming that the speaker does think about the person.
If good intentions paved the road that gets me through
Using a metaphor to express determination and good intentions to overcome challenges.
Then I've got a six-lane highway
Extending the metaphor, implying a wide path to achieving the speaker's goals.
And I intend to someday
Expressing the intention to fulfill promises and aspirations in the future.
Do all the things I say I can and I will and I do
Reaffirming the speaker's commitment to do what they claim: love.
Hey, it's hard for me to go away
Admitting the difficulty of leaving.
Okay, I know it's not adult
Acknowledging that the speaker's behavior might not be mature.
But it's just as difficult for me to stay
Highlighting the challenge of staying despite the immaturity.
And anyway you say
Continuing the difficulty in staying and leaving decisions.
You don't think I can love you
Repetition emphasizing the doubt about the speaker's capacity to love intensely.
You don't think I can love you
-You don't think I can love you love you love you
-But I can and I will and I do. I can and I will and I do.
Emphatically restating the speaker's ability and commitment to love.
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