I Still Dream
Eternal Yearning: Richard Thompson's 'I Still Dream'
Lyrics
It was cruel of you to stand at my door and take my hand
Expresses the emotional impact of someone's presence at the speaker's door, taking their hand; suggests vulnerability.
Like a drowning man I clung to my defenses
Describes the speaker's instinct to hold onto their defenses like a drowning man; hints at emotional struggle.
And ten years is a time but your looks, love, it's a crime
Reflects on the deceptive nature of time, emphasizing the impact of the person's appearance despite the years.
And I lost my tongue in the tangle of my senses
Highlights the confusion and overwhelming emotions, losing the ability to speak in the midst of tangled senses.
And I never was to know that I'd come to miss you so
Expresses surprise at not realizing earlier how much the person would be missed.
But time winds down and I turned my back long ago
Acknowledges the passage of time and the decision to turn away from the past.
But I still dream, oh darling I still dream
Despite the past, the speaker still dreams, indicating lingering emotions and unresolved feelings.
Oh I still dream, oh Lord knows I still dream
Reiterates the persistence of dreams despite the passage of time.
On the killing floor I stand with a stun gun in my hand
Shifts to a metaphorical "killing floor" where the speaker confronts challenges with a stun gun, possibly symbolizing emotional battles.
Like a cowboy shooting badmen on the range
Compares the speaker's actions to a cowboy dealing with adversaries, hinting at a tough, solitary struggle.
And nothing satisfies and the soul inside me dies
Expresses dissatisfaction and inner turmoil while avoiding change and risk.
As I duck each punch and never risk the change
Describes a defensive stance, evading challenges without risking personal growth.
And now you look at me with that same old used-to-be
Notes a familiar gaze that recalls the past, suggesting a recognition of lost opportunities.
Oh but time winds down and I turned my back long ago
Reiterates the impact of time and the speaker's choice to turn away from previous connections.
But I still dream, oh darling I still dream
Despite past choices, the speaker continues to dream, emphasizing persistent emotions.
Ah but now you look at me with that same old used-to-be
Revisits the theme of familiar looks, highlighting the impact of past connections despite turning away.
But time winds down and I turned my back long ago
Underlines the enduring effects of time and the speaker's decision to distance themselves from the past.
But I still dream, oh darling, darling I still dream
Despite the passage of time, the speaker expresses a continued longing through dreams.
I still dream, oh Lord knows, Lord knows I still dream
Repeats the theme of persistent dreams, invoking a sense of pleading or desperation.
Oh I still dream, oh darling, darling, darling I still dream
Emphasizes the enduring nature of the speaker's dreams, reinforcing the emotional attachment to the past.
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