Three hours from sundown
Jeremy flies
Hoping to keep
The sun from his eyes
East from the city
And down to the cave
In search of a master
In search of a slave

Three hours from London
Jacomo's free
Taking his woes
Down to the sea
In search of a lifetime
To tell when he's home
In search of a story
That's never been known

Three hours from speaking
Everyone's flown
Not wanting to be
Seen on their own
Three hours is needed
To leave from them all
Three hours to wonder
And three hours to fall

Three hours from sundown
Jeremy flies
Hoping to keep the sun from his eyes
East from the city
And down to the cave
In search of a master
In search of a slave


Lyrics submitted by punchyk

Three Hours Lyrics as written by Nick Drake

Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.

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Three Hours song meanings
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  • +3
    General Comment

    I think this song is about the existential search for meaning in life. The lyrics are redolent with searching - for a purpose ("a master"), control ("a slave"), stories to tell.

    Three hours from sundown is close to the end of a day. Returning home ("to the cave") from whatever meaningless existence the characters have - they reflect on what their lives are for. It is a rather dark, uncomforting song, but then so is the quest for the meaning of your life.

    When the sun goes down and they "fall" (into darkness?) eveything takes on a hopeless inevitability. And the fleeting possibility of being in control of our fates disappears... until the next day's end.

    groundcontrol1on May 15, 2008   Link

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