Crown of leaves, high in the window on a cold morning
Young today, old as a railroad tomorrow
Days are just drops in the river to be lost always
Only you, only you, you know

Years ago, birds of a feather would arrive nightly
Gone you know, held to another like clutched ivy
On the shore, speak to the ocean and receive silence
Only you, only you, you know

You hesitate so my memory fades, I'll hold to the first one
I wouldn't turn to another you say, on the long night we've made
Let it go

Only you, only you, you know
Only you, only you, you know

You hesitate so my memory fades, I'll hold to the first one
I wouldn't turn to another you say, on the long night we've made
Let it go

Speak to me slow my dear
No ghost of course in here
Pleased to be lonesome quiet and clear
All is alone in here


Lyrics submitted by monicatx

Drops In The River Lyrics as written by Robin Noel Pecknold

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Drops in the River song meanings
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  • +1
    My Interpretation

    The crown of leaves is a symbol of ecstacy, revelry, intoxication, etc. It is associated with Bacchus, the god of said things. In the first verse, it's the morning after those events. The narrator is putting things into perspective- this is a fleeting moment.

    I believe in the second verse the narrator is reflecting upon earlier days when he was younger and wilder. Now, he is alone and looking back on his past relationships. "On the shore, speak to the ocean and receive silence" is a powerful line. It could be that the 'shore' is the narrator's view of the future, and he feels alone.

    I think we get down to brass tacks in the chorus: the narrator misses somebody who doesn't miss him back. He's remembering the night they had together, but knows he must "let it go". And, in the final section, he's resigned himself to his fate.

    mithgilon November 07, 2008   Link

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