Work For the Weekend
Weekend Yearning: Nostalgia and Love in The Lilac Time's Melody
Lyrics
It was once before a time called now
Reflecting on a past era referred to as "before a time called now."
When we lazed the weeks away
Recalling a period of leisure when weeks were idly spent.
With a work of art and a pint of beer
Describing a simple life with artistic pursuits and beer as the main focus.
Was all there was to say
Emphasizing the limited conversation topics during that carefree time.
For we made love in the afternoons
Reminiscing about making love in the afternoons on youthful mattresses.
On the mattresses of youth
Symbolizing the carefree and passionate nature of youth.
And I took all the rope that they gave
Accepting challenges represented by "rope," which becomes a metaphorical noose.
And that became my noose
Highlighting the consequences of accepting challenges without caution.
Now I must wait for the weekend
Expressing a longing for the weekend, possibly for escape or reunion.
I must wait to have you
Reiterating the anticipation of the weekend as a special time.
When the streets were paved with poems
Remembering a time when streets were filled with poetic beauty.
And a salary of song
Describing a time when music (salary of song) was sufficient, and work was not a concern.
When we never thought we'd have to work
Reflecting on a carefree attitude when work-related worries were absent.
Or anything could go wrong
Believing in the permanence of a joyful state.
Because there'd always be the Old King Cole
Referencing Old King Cole as a symbol of perpetual joy and love.
The sovereign of our loving
Viewing love as a sovereign force, but facing disappointment when it is disrupted.
But the King was cut as was our luck
Linking the downfall of Old King Cole to a stroke of bad luck.
And now the week is working
Acknowledging the impact of external factors on the week, turning it into a working period.
Now the moral of this story is
Conveying the moral that fun diminishes without certain elements (possibly referring to joy or love).
Without them you have fun
Expressing the belief that without those elements, life lacks enjoyment.
Oh I thought the wine and roses years
Reflecting on the perception that the years of joy and abundance were just beginning.
Had only just begun
Expressing surprise at the abrupt end of the perceived era of happiness.
But in their world life's to short for love
Contrasting their world, where life is short for love, with a world focused on money and pleasure.
Money gives them pleasure
Highlighting the pleasure derived from money in their world.
And without God they have marshalled time
Commenting on the secular nature of their world, where time is structured around work or leisure, devoid of divine influence.
Into but work or leisure
Conveying a binary existence based on either work or leisure, lacking a spiritual dimension.
Now I must wait for the weekend
Reiterating the theme of waiting for the weekend, suggesting its significance.
I must wait to have you
Emphasizing the anticipation of the weekend as a time to connect or experience something special.
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