“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Now the final curtain's fallen,
For no show goes on forever,
If the world's a stage - mine's empty.
Whilst upon it you'll tread never.
As the instruments lie silent in their coffins made of wood,
I rest assured they'd say these words - If say these words they could;
Whatever happened to the songs - the music that we made,
And the joy we shared together as on me your fingers played?
Are chose symphonies forgotten - with our cases closed and latched'?
Dreams now dusty, old and rotten - empty shells (no strings attached).
Amidst the dying candle-light,
I sit forlorn, alone,
A space once filled with laughter bright,
The place my heart called home
Now the puppets are my company - but wood and straw can't speak;
Though it by chance they came to life I'm certain they would weep;"
"What am I without your tender touch -
The hands to hold and guide me,
What purpose has a puppet with no puppeteer beside me?
I do not care I have no hair - my painted face is scratched.
But fear my wooden heart will shatter with no stings attached.
[Chorus]
No mourners assemble in this white-elephant's graveyard,
A dearth of bloom upon my tomb - an absence of forget-me-nots.
For Romeo I understudied - this sepulchre dark and bloodied,
It's my final resting place - amongst these "cloak-and-dagger' props.
Your kiss turns princes into frogs - and passion-plays to monologues.
Now last and least- the minstrel-takes his bow upon the stage,
He's played a fool and played the prince - (but never acts his age).
And If for once not lost for words- l wonder what he d say,
To win fair maiden, slay the dragon, keep dread foe at bay?
"Though I am not a wealthy man, my heart is pure and true,
And the only riches that I have, the love I feel for you.
Now my life is robbed of meaning
Iike a purse of hope that's snatched.
Must I spend my whole time dreaming
Living life no strings attached?"
[Chorus]
No mourners assemble in this white-elephant's graveyard,
A dearth of bloom upon my tomb - an absence of forget-me-nots.
For Romeo I understudied - this sepulchre dark and bloodied,
It's my final resting place - amongst these "cloak-and-dagger' props.
Your kiss turns princes into frogs - and passion-plays to monologues.
For no show goes on forever,
If the world's a stage - mine's empty.
Whilst upon it you'll tread never.
As the instruments lie silent in their coffins made of wood,
I rest assured they'd say these words - If say these words they could;
Whatever happened to the songs - the music that we made,
And the joy we shared together as on me your fingers played?
Are chose symphonies forgotten - with our cases closed and latched'?
Dreams now dusty, old and rotten - empty shells (no strings attached).
Amidst the dying candle-light,
I sit forlorn, alone,
A space once filled with laughter bright,
The place my heart called home
Now the puppets are my company - but wood and straw can't speak;
Though it by chance they came to life I'm certain they would weep;"
"What am I without your tender touch -
The hands to hold and guide me,
What purpose has a puppet with no puppeteer beside me?
I do not care I have no hair - my painted face is scratched.
But fear my wooden heart will shatter with no stings attached.
[Chorus]
No mourners assemble in this white-elephant's graveyard,
A dearth of bloom upon my tomb - an absence of forget-me-nots.
For Romeo I understudied - this sepulchre dark and bloodied,
It's my final resting place - amongst these "cloak-and-dagger' props.
Your kiss turns princes into frogs - and passion-plays to monologues.
Now last and least- the minstrel-takes his bow upon the stage,
He's played a fool and played the prince - (but never acts his age).
And If for once not lost for words- l wonder what he d say,
To win fair maiden, slay the dragon, keep dread foe at bay?
"Though I am not a wealthy man, my heart is pure and true,
And the only riches that I have, the love I feel for you.
Now my life is robbed of meaning
Iike a purse of hope that's snatched.
Must I spend my whole time dreaming
Living life no strings attached?"
[Chorus]
No mourners assemble in this white-elephant's graveyard,
A dearth of bloom upon my tomb - an absence of forget-me-nots.
For Romeo I understudied - this sepulchre dark and bloodied,
It's my final resting place - amongst these "cloak-and-dagger' props.
Your kiss turns princes into frogs - and passion-plays to monologues.
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“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Sounds like failure and hopelessness to me.