Away
Journey through Rain: Kathleen Edwards' Reflections on Absence
Lyrics
I remember the way,
I have a recollection of a certain experience.
Driving home late,
Returning home during the late hours.
Speeding all the way.
Driving fast throughout the entire journey.
Alone in the rain.
Being alone in the rain.
I was rehearsing a part
Practicing a role or dialogue from a performance at the bar.
From down at the bar.
Recalling an event where my breath smelled of alcohol.
My mouth smelled like a drink
Shared moments of laughter, perhaps with someone.
We were laughing, I think,
Expressing uncertainty about the duration of absence.
I've been away.
Repetition emphasizing the speaker's absence.
I've been away.
-I've been away.
-Do you pick up the phone,
Pondering if the other person responds to communication attempts.
Do you check your mail,
-Do you answer your door even if it's late?
-I don't know who to call,
Feeling unsure about reaching out, possibly due to forgetting details.
I don't know who to write,
-And I think I forgot
-What your face looks like.
-I've been away.
Reiterating the theme of being away and distant.
I've been away.
-I've been away.
-Do you think that I've changed?
Questioning whether there's a perception of change in the speaker.
I swear I never tried.
Denying intentional change, expressing innocence.
Memory is a terrible thing.
Reflection on memory's nature, possibly its unreliability.
When you use it right.
Suggesting that memory can be manipulated or used strategically.
I was rehearsing a part
Recalling another instance at the bar, again with a hint of alcohol.
From down at the bar.
-My mouth smelled like a drink.
-We were laughing, I think,
-I've been away.
Repeating the theme of being away, possibly with a sense of regret or reflection.
I've been away.
-I've been away.
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