I'll Be Waiting

Eternal Waiting: Unveiling the Haunting Meaning Behind PJ Harvey's 'I'll Be Waiting'
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Lyrics

They swept across the land

They (unspecified entities) moved extensively across the land.

They did not leave a thing

They left nothing behind.

They did not leave a person

They left no individuals.

A stone or a tree

They left no trace of natural or man-made elements.

They did not leave anything

They completely cleared everything.

They did not leave anything

Reiterates the absence of anything left by 'them'.

All is left is sand

Only sand remains in the aftermath.

All is left is sand

Reinforces the desolate nature of the land—only sand remains.


I remember, father

Personal recollection of the father.

I remember him

The memory of the father persists.

Every minute I remember

Intense and continuous remembrance of the father.

Every moment

Recalling the father at every possible instance.

Now I hate everyone

Feelings of disdain or hostility towards everyone.

Now I hate everyone

Repeated expression of negative feelings towards all.

Before, I used to love

A contrast—previously felt love for others.

Before, I used to love

Reiterating the previous state of affection for people.


One day, thorns shall grow

A prophecy of thorns emerging in the future.

One day, thorns shall grow

Reiteration of the future emergence of thorns.

From their graves

Thorns will grow from the graves of 'them' upon their return.

When they return

Speculation about the return of the unspecified entities.

Thorns will grow

Description of thorns growing when 'they' return.

Over their graves

Thorns covering the resting places of 'them'.

I will be waiting

Expression of determination to wait for their return.


And when they return

Affirmation of waiting upon their return.

I will be waiting

Reiteration of the commitment to wait.

I will not leave a person

No one will be spared when 'they' return.

Standing

Pledge not to let anyone stand.

I will not leave anything

Assurance of leaving nothing behind.

I will not leave anything

Emphasis on leaving absolutely nothing.

All I'll leave is sand

Only sand will remain after taking action.

All I'll leave is sand

Reiteration of the desolation—only sand will be left.


And then thorns shall grow

Reiteration of the prophecy about thorns emerging.

And then thorns shall grow

Reiteration of the future growth of thorns.

From their graves

Thorns will emerge from graves upon their return.

When they return

Speculation about the return of the unspecified entities.

Thorns shall grow

Emphasizing the growth of thorns upon their return.

Over their graves

Visualizing thorns covering the graves of 'them'.

I will be waiting

Reiteration of the determination to wait for their return.


When they return

Waiting for their return and the emergence of thorns.

Thorns shall grow

Thorns will grow upon their return.

Over their graves

Thorns covering the graves of 'them' upon their return.

I will be waiting

Commitment to wait for the return of 'them'.

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