Years
Reflections of Time: Nostalgia and Longing in Beth Nielsen Chapman's 'Years'
Lyrics
I went home for Christmas
I returned home for the Christmas holidays.
To the house that I grew up in
To the house where I spent my childhood.
Going back was something after all these years
Returning was significant after many years.
I drove down Monterey Street
I drove along Monterey Street.
And felt a little sadness
Experiencing a hint of melancholy.
When I turned left on Laurel and the house appeared
Feeling a sense of nostalgia when I reached Laurel Street and saw the house.
And I snuck up to that rocking chair
I quietly approached a rocking chair.
Where the winter sunlight slanted on the screened-in porch
Noticed the winter sunlight falling on the screened-in porch.
And I stared out past the shade tree
Gazing beyond the shade tree planted by my father on my birth.
That my laughing daddy planted on the day that I was born
Reflecting on nostalgic memories tied to that tree.
And I let time go by so slow
Time seemed to pass very slowly for me.
And I made every moment last
I cherished and elongated every moment.
And I thought about years
Contemplating the passage of years.
How they take so long
Years feel extensive.
And they go so fast
Yet, they pass swiftly.
Across the street the Randol's oldest daughter must have come home
Observing the Randol family's activities across the street.
Her two boys built a snowman by the backyard swings
Her sons were building a snowman.
I thought of old man Randol and his Christmas decorations
Recalling Mr. Randol's habits of keeping Christmas decorations for long.
And how he used to leave them up till early spring
Leaving decorations up until early spring.
And I though of all the summers
Remembering summers spent on the porch.
That I paced that porch and swore I'd die of boredom there
Feeling boredom during those summers.
And I thought of what I'd give to feel another summer linger
Desiring to relive a summer where time felt prolonged.
Where a day feels like a year
Wishing for a day to last as long as a year.
And I let time go by so slow
Experiencing time as moving very slowly.
And I made every moment last
Treasuring each passing moment.
And I thought about years
Reflecting again on the concept of years.
How they take so long
Years seem to have extended durations.
And they go so fast
Despite that, they swiftly pass by.
Then the door flew open, and my mother's voice was laughing
My mother joyfully welcomed my return.
As she called back to my daddy, "Come look who's here"
Announcing my arrival to my father.
And I thought about years
Reflecting once more on the passage of years.
And I let time go by so slow
Perceiving time moving slowly.
And I made every moment last
Valuing and elongating every single moment.
And I thought about years
Contemplating once more on the concept of years.
How they take so long
Years seem lengthy.
And they go so fast
Despite that, they rush by swiftly.
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