Queen of Birmingham
Longing and Distance: Queen of Birmingham
Lyrics
Alabama ain't all that far from Tennessee
Alabama is relatively close to Tennessee.
But anywhere's a little far if it ain't right beside me
Distance doesn't matter if we are together.
I can meet you half way at Tom's, we'll stop for tea
Suggesting a meeting point at Tom's and a casual stop for tea.
Oh but I'd rather you just come on home to stay, baby set me free
Expresses a preference for the partner to come home and stay, seeking freedom in the relationship.
Now you're the Queen of Birmingham
Referring to the partner as the "Queen of Birmingham."
Add me I'm just another man
Positioning himself as just another man.
Street signs and yellow lines mark the space in-between
Describing the physical and emotional distance with street signs and yellow lines.
Baby hold tight to the tide
Encouraging the partner to hold on tight to the relationship.
And let it roll you back to me
Metaphorically urging the partner to let the tide bring them back together.
Alabama ain't even really all that far away
Reiterating that Alabama isn't far away.
But I'm still dreaming maybe you're already on the way
Expressing hope that the partner is already on the way.
It's been so long now would you even recognize me
Reflecting on the passage of time and the uncertainty of recognition after a long separation.
Or those persons who we were who we swore we were gonna be
Questioning the identity of the individuals they once aspired to be.
Now you're the Queen of Birmingham
Repeating the partner as the "Queen of Birmingham."
Add me I'm just another man
Reiterating his identity as just another man.
Street signs and yellow lines mark the space in-between
Emphasizing the distance with street signs and yellow lines again.
Baby hold tight to the tide
Encouraging the partner to hold on to the relationship during the separation.
And let it roll you back to me
Repeating the metaphor of the tide bringing them back together.
Alabama ain't ever really all that far away
Reiterating that Alabama isn't far away.
I'm still dreaming maybe you're already on the way
Expressing hope that the partner is on the way.
Alabama ain't even all that far from Tennessee
Repeating the proximity of Alabama to Tennessee.
So just hold on to that tide
Advising the partner to hold on to the tide, reinforcing the theme of patience and waiting.
Hold on to that tide
Repeating the advice to hold on to the tide.
Hold on to the tide
Emphasizing the importance of holding on to the tide.
And let it roll you back to me
Reiterating the metaphor of the tide bringing the partner back.
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