Lyrics
I never cared much for baseball, anyway
Expressing indifference towards baseball.
But by the time that it crossed my mind
Realizing a thought about baseball but too late to act on it.
I guess it was too late
Regret for not caring about baseball earlier.
‘Cause I’d already made a commitment
Already committed to a baseball team.
To the team
Committed to supporting a baseball team.
Now I try to stay away from those
Avoiding situations related to baseball.
Perhaps something’s wrong with me
Reflecting on personal issues or differences.
Christopher punched me in the chest
Referring to a past incident where Christopher physically confronted the speaker.
When I was thirteen
Describing the age when the confrontation with Christopher occurred.
I went home and cried
Emotional response to the confrontation, crying.
‘Cause I didn’t know why
Expressing confusion about the reason for the confrontation.
But he was probably hurting more than me
Suspecting Christopher may have been going through personal difficulties.
I was afraid my heart might stop
Fear of a severe emotional impact on the speaker's heart.
In my sleep
Fear of physical harm to the heart while sleeping, likely metaphorical.
But it was all in my head
Realization that fears were unfounded, existing only in the mind.
Sometimes my imagination
Acknowledging the influence of imagination on personal experiences.
Gets the best of me
Admitting that imagination sometimes exaggerates situations.
So throw me a pop fly
Request to throw a pop fly, connecting to baseball imagery.
While I’m chasing butterflies in centerfield
Metaphorically chasing butterflies in centerfield, seeking a carefree experience.
America’s pastime
Reiterating the importance of baseball as America's pastime.
So much can change in twenty years
Reflection on how much can change in two decades.
Ooh
Expressing emotion, possibly awe or surprise.
When I was sixteen, I fell in love with a girl
Recalling a romantic experience at the age of sixteen.
And one day she invited me
Being invited to a religious gathering by the romantic interest.
To come to her youth group after school
Setting the scene of attending a youth group after school.
And when I arrived
Unexpected religious experience, possibly uncomfortable for the speaker.
I was taken by surprise
Surprised by the dramatic religious gestures of others.
When she fell to her knees
Describing the romantic interest's intense religious reaction.
People were speaking in tongues
Witnessing people speaking in tongues during the religious gathering.
At the top of their lungs
Highlighting the intensity of the religious experience.
And I just wanted to leave
Feeling uncomfortable and wanting to leave the religious gathering.
So take me back in time
Expressing a desire to go back in time to a more carefree moment.
Where I’m chasing butterflies in centerfield
Imagining chasing butterflies in centerfield as a nostalgic escape.
America’s pastime
Reaffirming the importance of baseball as America's pastime over time.
That’s what I’ll say in twenty years
Anticipating a different perspective or statement about baseball in the future.
Ooh
Repeating an emotional sound, possibly reflecting on the past.
Ooh, throw me a pop fly
Reiterating the request for a pop fly while chasing butterflies.
While I’m chasing butterflies in centerfield
Continuing the metaphor of pursuing carefree moments in centerfield.
America’s pastime
Affirming the revitalizing effect of America's pastime on the speaker.
Haven’t felt this alive in years
Expressing a heightened sense of vitality and well-being.
Ooh
Repeating an emotional sound, possibly associated with positive feelings.
I never cared much for baseball, anyway
Reiterating the initial lack of interest in baseball.
But by the time that it crossed my mind
Repeating the realization that baseball crossed the speaker's mind too late.
I guess it was too late
Reiterating the belated awareness of the significance of baseball.
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