You’ve got room to wear the clothes you want
But there is no one there to show them off too,
This is how the past sticks to you.
There was a time you had inspiration,
A recipe for your life,
You were gliding over your youth.

All the ashes you spread,
All the love that you give,
That is who you are, how hard you break
For the love you take.
All the fires you burn
To dry oceans of hurt,
All the time you’ve wasted in vain,
And you’re standing still.
You are tired and you’re losing will.
You’ve got so much time to kill;
You’ve been running just to stand still.

Some times it hurts to scratch your skin
But feeling pain takes your mind off him.
You wrap your arms and squeeze your bones.
You always thought if you loved enough,
Held it close for long enough,
You would never lose;
How wring you were.

All the ashes you spread,
All the love that you give,
That is who you are, how hard you break
For the love you take.
All the fires you burn
To dry oceans of hurt,
All the time you’ve wasted in vain,
And you’re standing still.
You are tired and you’re losing will.
You’ve got so much time to kill;
You’ve been running just to stand still.

Oh, how life might take what dreams may come
How life might take what dreams may come.


Lyrics submitted by les25

Standing Still song meanings
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    General Comment

    I am so in love with this song. It so beautiful and meaningful to me. Ever since the first time I heard it, I have not been able to get over how good it is. Too bad no one really knows about this song or even the band. Love the lyrics "How life might take what dreams may come" It's Perfect.

    les25on August 18, 2010   Link

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