The Be Good Tanyas – Only In The Past

"Only In The Past" as written by and Frazey Obadiah Ford Samantha Parton....
Run away to the seashore it doesn't matter
anymore
Doesn't matter anymore
Words dry up and fly away with the passing of
the days
Eventually you just let the stone fall

I dreamed that I saw you you were down at the corner store
You were looking through magazines and you
flew out the door
I was trying to wave to you but you wouldn't
wave back
Now you know I understand you're with me only
in the past
Only in the past

My palms are not open they're closed they're
closed
My palms are not open they're closed they're
closed

I dreamed that I saw you you were down at the corner store
You were looking through magazines and you
flew out the door
I was trying to wave to you but you wouldn't
wave back
Now you know I understand you're with me only
in the past
Only in the past

Colours streak the sky we laugh and we cry
And we dance in the cool grass with the
fireflies
And we dance in the cool grass sunset birds
Sweet sweet music swallow our words
You set sail and you left this town
Run away, run away, you're so far from me now
So far from me now

I dreamed that I saw you you were down at the corner store
You were looking through magazines and you
flew out the door
I was trying to wave to you but you wouldn't
wave back
Now you know I understand you're with me only
in the past
Only in the past


Lyrics submitted by tubesocks

"Only in the Past" as written by Samantha Parton Frazey Obadiah Ford

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Only In The Past song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    General CommentAre you kidding me? This has got to be one of the best songs I've ever heard. The music in this song just gives me this feeling of being at a beach and sitting alone, mulling all of this over. Only a few songs give me such a real "feeling" and this is definitely one of them.

    "Now you know I understand
    you're with me only in the past"

    ^^There is something really unique about those lines even though people sing about similar things all the time. This song is about the realization instead of the aftermath of the realization and I think that helps make it so powerful.
    letterstonoelleon October 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentadore this song. "eventually you just let the stone fall"--i think that's the "warm, black stone" from "ship out on the sea," which symbolizes love. i think you have to let your love go when the words dry up. and you have to reach a certain point inside before you can do that. this song reflects such optimism while embracing the sadness--"we laugh and we cry"--that accompanies such a turning point.
    jeisenbeon November 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is by far the best song by the Be Good Tanyas. I agree with those who commented before me that the passion with which the girls sing and play their music makes the song what it is. The person in the song has been holding onto memories of a special someone and has finally reached a moment when they realize that this special someone has moved on.

    What makes the song even better is that it is about a dream. Therefore, anyone who has ever dreamt of someone from their "past" should be able to attest to the brilliance of this song.

    One last thing- trying to wave to someone who doesn't wave back... great metaphor.

    Overall amazing song.
    cc1100on June 02, 2008   Link

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