One by One

Fading Dreams and Whispered Promises: Wilco's 'One by One' Meaning
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Lyrics

One by one the teardrops fall as I write you

Expresses a gradual, sequential experience of sadness and sorrow reflected in tears while composing a message to someone.

One by one my words come falling on the page

Describes the process of conveying emotions and thoughts through words, each falling onto the page with significance.

One by one my dreams are fading in the twilight

Reflects the fading or diminishing nature of dreams, especially as day transitions to twilight, suggesting a loss of hope or optimism.

One by one my schemes are fading fast away

Indicates the gradual disappearance of plans or strategies, possibly hinting at dashed aspirations or goals.


One by one the flowers fading in my garden

Depicts the gradual withering or decline of beauty and vibrancy, using fading flowers in a garden as a metaphor.

One by one the leaves are falling from the trees

Highlights the autumnal phase where leaves fall from trees, symbolizing a process of endings or loss.

One by one my hopes are vanished in the clouds clear

Implies a sense of disappearing optimism or aspirations, vanishing like clouds in the clear sky.

One by one like snowflakes melting in the breeze

Compares the disappearance of hopes or dreams to delicate snowflakes melting away, emphasizing their fleeting nature.


One by one my hair is turning gray

Portrays the aging process, where hair turns gray, symbolizing the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

One by one my dreams are fading fast away

Reiterates the gradual loss or dissolution of dreams, emphasizing their fading nature.

One by one I read your letters over

Expresses the act of revisiting and rereading letters, each read individually, possibly to relive memories or emotions.

One by one I lay them all away

Symbolizes storing or putting away each letter, suggesting a process of closure or moving on.


One by one the days are slipping up behind you

Portrays the passing of days, each slipping away unnoticed or unacknowledged.

One by one the sweetest days of life go by

Highlights the transient nature of life's sweetest moments, which come and go, emphasizing their fleeting essence.

One by one the moments stealing out behind you

Signifies the gradual passing of significant moments or experiences, subtly slipping away without notice.

One by one she'll come and find not you or I

Indicates the inevitability of someone else finding or experiencing things, apart from "you or I," possibly suggesting a sense of detachment or distance.


One by one I hear the soft words that you whispered

Portrays the gradual recollection of soft, whispered words, implying a nostalgic reminiscence of past conversations or moments.

One by one I feel your kisses soft and sweet

Evokes the sensation of feeling gentle and affectionate kisses, each one holding a significant emotional impact.

One by one I hope you'll say the words to marry

Expresses a hope or desire for the declaration of commitment, possibly marriage, conveyed gradually and sincerely.

One by one to one by one forever be

Conveys a wish or hope for a lasting, eternal connection between two individuals, symbolized by the phrase "one by one to one by one forever be."

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