On a day like this, a hundred lifetimes ago
You on a shore, across the point
I looked through my hands and you drew me a line
When you were mine
On a world like this, a hundred turns left to go
Deep in a room, which I've never seen
Outside it's so cold but I'm waiting for time
When you were mine


Plenty of islands between now and then
Rocks break the boats of the painted face men
And they drown, and they're born
And they live once again
And this all happens
When you were mine


In a storm like this, a hundred kisses of snow
You with another so easily sleep
What's real and what's dreamt become close and entwine
When you were mine


Lyrics submitted by mrtrout

When You Were Mine song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    I'm pretty sure this song is about the aborigine's and their concept of Dream Time

    Sozlukon February 10, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Actually, it's a love song from Bilbo Baggins to Frodo, set roughly a hundred years after the end of the "Return of the King." The line, "You on a shore, across the point" is in reference to Bilbo watching Frodo depart for the Undying Lands from the Grey Havens on a white ship. Unfortunately, Frodo fell overboard and was drowned and then eaten by crabs, and Bilbo is sad.

    owennnnnnnnnnon January 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Actually, I've never really thought the Church's lyrics lend themselves well to literal analysis, Steve Kilbey's lyrics reading more like Symbolist poetry or, maybe even more appropriately, like Joseph Cornell's artwork. He has a remarkable, painterly talent for putting together evocative lyrical images in such a way as to render physical--or at least, more immediately and concretely comprehensible--the emotions which the music conveys abstractly. I believe he's one of the most gifted songwriters pop music has given us, for sure.

    I'm still pretty sure I'm right about my "Lord of the Rings" fan-fic interpretation of this particular song, however.

    owennnnnnnnnnon January 12, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Honestly owennnnnnnnnnnn, I have a feeling you're making this up; unelss I hear otherwise from SKilbey!In particular, the reference to dreams in the last 2 lines certainly is consistant with DreamTime. AND when he speaks of islands and painted faced men? I dont see how that has to do with LOTR, but it makes total sense with regards to the aboriginee's

    Sozlukon April 24, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i agree with sozluk, australian bands/writer are known to weave alot of things into their music about who really owns this land.

    AladdinInsaneon April 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I have no idea what this song means, but I thoroughly enjoy it...

    mirandajuneon August 12, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    fuck you

    ~anner~on January 11, 2006   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    Honestly owennnnnnnnnnnn, I have a feeling you're making this up; unelss I hear otherwise from SKilbey!In particular, the reference to dreams in the last 2 lines certainly is consistant with DreamTime. AND when he speaks of islands and painted faced men? I dont see how that has to do with LOTR, but it makes total sense with regards to the aboriginee's

    Sozlukon April 24, 2006   Link

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