1963
1963: A Tale of Lost Magic in Dallas
Lyrics
It’s five to twelve and almost time for one more rendezvous
Referring to the imminent occurrence of a rendezvous.
At Mockingbird turn left and go down Lemmon Avenue
Providing directions for the rendezvous location, mentioning specific streets.
And passing Lomo Alto Drive, veer right in Turtle Creek
Continuing the directions, indicating a turn in Turtle Creek.
Continue on down Cedar Springs, you’ll soon cross Live Oak Street
Continuing the journey through Cedar Springs and Live Oak Street.
You’re coming into Main Street and the crowd begins to roar
Arriving at Main Street, with the crowd expressing excitement.
You smile at many people that you’ve never seen before
The protagonist acknowledges strangers with a smile.
You keep on gliding down that street across my memory
Reflecting on memories while progressing down Main Street.
Down in Dealey Plaza back in 1963
Recalling Dealey Plaza in 1963, alluding to a significant event.
Heard somebody singing, soft and low, heard somebody talking on the radio
Noting the presence of music and radio chatter.
Don’t know why it happened, don’t know why
Expressing uncertainty about the reasons behind a specific event.
Only know a little bit of magic died on that day you took that final ride
Recognizing the loss of something magical during a final journey.
On that day a little bit of magic died
Reiterating the loss of magic on a particular day.
You waved at many people that you’d never seen before
Acknowledging interactions with unfamiliar people.
You smiled at many people but you don’t smile anymore
Noticing a change in the protagonist's demeanor, no longer smiling.
Turn right in Houston, left in Elm Street, can’t you see the sign
Providing directional instructions involving Houston and Elm Street.
It’s almost half-past twelve in Dallas central standard time
Highlighting the specific time in Dallas on that day.
At one o’clock they told you something you already knew
Referring to information already known by the protagonist at 1 o'clock.
Riding right beside him on that autumn rendezvous
Describing a companion during an autumn rendezvous.
The doctor saw your hands were cupped, your bright pink suit was stained
Noting physical signs observed by a doctor, indicating a traumatic event.
The doctor said you gave him pieces of your husband’s brain
Claiming the protagonist provided fragments of her husband's brain.
Heard somebody singing, soft and low, heard somebody talking on the radio
Repeating the presence of music and radio talk.
Don’t know why it happened, don’t know why
Expressing uncertainty about the cause of a significant event.
Only know a little bit of magic died on that day you took that final ride
Reiterating the loss of magic during the final journey.
On that day a little bit of magic died
Reaffirming the loss of magic on that particular day.
You keep on gliding down that street across my memory
Recalling memories while progressing down Main Street.
The 22nd of November 1963
Specifying the date of the mentioned memories, November 22, 1963.
You smiled at many people, but you don’t smile anymore
Noting the absence of the protagonist's smile in the present.
A little bit of magic died in 1994
Stating that a little bit of magic died in 1994.
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