Passin' Through
Journey of Goodbyes: Bobby Bare's Poignant 'Passin' Through' Meaning
Lyrics
The first sound I heard was a woman's cry
The first experience I had was hearing a woman's cry, suggesting a potentially emotional or difficult start to life.
The first word I learned to utter was goodbye
My earliest spoken word was "goodbye," hinting at a theme of departure or separation from the very beginning.
Forgive me if I'm wrong in what I do to you
Apologizing for any wrongdoing in the actions taken towards someone.
While passin' through passin' through
Expressing a transient nature, passing through experiences without a long-term commitment.
Happiness for me cannot be found but yet I still search from town to town
Despite searching in various places, true happiness remains elusive for the speaker.
No offence but I don't think I'll find it here with you
The speaker doubts finding happiness in the current relationship but expresses it without offense.
Goodbye babe just passin' through
A farewell message, indicating a departure from the current situation.
Passin' through your life like a ragin' river
Comparing the speaker's impact on life to a powerful, uncontrollable river, suggesting a turbulent influence.
No woman needs or can hold the love I give her
Emphasizing that the speaker's love is intense and cannot be contained or held by any woman.
Please understand I can't control these things I do
Explaining the inability to control certain actions or behaviors despite understanding their consequences.
While passin' through passin' through
Reiterating the transient nature of the speaker's presence and actions.
What was that did you say you thought you loved me
Questioning if the listener truly loves the speaker.
That's too bad girl cause if you really do
Expressing indifference to the listener's love, suggesting it won't last and is not significant.
You'll just awaken with the dawn and find your love has flown
Predicting that the listener will realize the impermanence of love with the coming of dawn.
Like an old wild goose passin' through
Comparing love to an old wild goose, emphasizing its fleeting and unpredictable nature.
Passin' through your life like a ragin' river
Reiterating the analogy of the speaker's influence on life being like a raging river.
Like a cold north wind jus a passin' through
Describing the speaker's presence as a cold north wind, reinforcing the idea of passing through without lingering.
Goodbye babe passin' through
Another farewell message, underlining the transient nature of the speaker's presence.
Comment