Once
Journey Through Life's Crossroads: Robin Holcomb's 'Once' Reflections
Lyrics
Once I was a woman, once I was a wife
Reflecting on a past identity as a woman and a wife.
Once I wrote a bible, and once I took a life
Acknowledging past actions of writing a bible and taking a life.
Way past conversation or a decent sleep or two
Describing a state beyond mere conversation or rest.
When I laid my hands upon you, you knew just what to do
Recalling an intimate moment where the person being addressed knew what to do.
You couldn't see me coming, all the light was in your eyes
Highlighting surprise or stealth in an approach, with the light obscuring the speaker.
Half of what you think you know you hardly recognize
Suggesting a lack of recognition or understanding of half of one's knowledge.
You know that little mirror, the one you always pass
Referring to a mirror and its location, possibly symbolizing self-reflection.
It hangs inside the doorway
Emphasizing the consistent presence of the mirror inside the doorway.
Well that's where you saw me last
Indicating the last place where the person being addressed saw the speaker.
I haven't worried for a long time
Expressing a lack of worry for an extended period.
And here's how I decide
Explaining the decision-making process, possibly in a carefree manner.
When I come upon a crossroad
Choosing to take risks or unexpected paths at crossroads.
I always take the ride
Embracing the journey rather than sticking to the familiar.
Cheatin' hearts grow lonesome
Noting that dishonest hearts lead to loneliness, possibly implying consequences of infidelity.
You can always tell
Highlighting the telltale signs of cheating hearts.
Diamond earrings glitter
Suggesting the visibility of expensive gifts as evidence of deception.
From the bottom of the well
Metaphorically referencing hidden truths at the bottom of a well.
Come in from the airport, the moon is shining bright
Setting the scene of arriving at the airport with a bright moon.
Over the feathered fields of Newark things are flying low tonight
Observing low-flying objects over Newark's fields.
I never check my luggage, so I couldn't say for sure
Expressing uncertainty about the speaker's belongings.
But what I carry with me might not be mine no more
Suggesting a potential loss of ownership over personal possessions.
Pale fingers reach from nowhere to catch the small soft face
Describing an attempt to touch a soft face, possibly symbolic of a gentle encounter.
But when they lifted out the baby
Revealing an absence of someone to replace the lifted baby.
No one was there to take his place
Indicating a void or emptiness after a significant event.
Once I was a woman, once I was a wife
Repeating the opening lines, emphasizing the past roles of being a woman and a wife.
I wrote this in my bible
Noting the act of writing the current content in a bible.
And then I took my life
Concluding with a reference to taking one's life, possibly metaphorical.
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