The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
She passed by my window
Her eyes were all aglow
And bent to pick her glove she'd dropped
From the bright and brittle snow
Nature had spoken it in the Spring
With apple, plum and brand new pear
Have you time for my company?
No, I said, I have none to spare
You gotta sanctify my love
You've gotta sanctify my love
You've gotta sanctify my love
I ain't no lover-boy, oh no
For apple, plum and brand new pear
Soon wither on the ground
She slapped the snow from off her glove
And moved on without a sound
You've gotta sanctify my love
You've gotta sanctify my love
You've gotta sanctify my love
I ain't no lover-boy, oh no
Sanctify my love
Sanctify my love
Sanctify my love
I ain't no lover-boy, oh no
I ain't no lover-boy (he ain't no lover-boy)
I ain't no lover-boy (he ain't no lover-boy)
I ain't no lover-boy (he ain't no lover-boy)
I ain't no lover-boy, so bye bye
(He ain't no lover-boy)
(He ain't no lover-boy)
(He ain't no lover-boy)
(He ain't no lover-boy)
Her eyes were all aglow
And bent to pick her glove she'd dropped
From the bright and brittle snow
Nature had spoken it in the Spring
With apple, plum and brand new pear
Have you time for my company?
No, I said, I have none to spare
You gotta sanctify my love
You've gotta sanctify my love
You've gotta sanctify my love
I ain't no lover-boy, oh no
For apple, plum and brand new pear
Soon wither on the ground
She slapped the snow from off her glove
And moved on without a sound
You've gotta sanctify my love
You've gotta sanctify my love
You've gotta sanctify my love
I ain't no lover-boy, oh no
Sanctify my love
Sanctify my love
Sanctify my love
I ain't no lover-boy, oh no
I ain't no lover-boy (he ain't no lover-boy)
I ain't no lover-boy (he ain't no lover-boy)
I ain't no lover-boy (he ain't no lover-boy)
I ain't no lover-boy, so bye bye
(He ain't no lover-boy)
(He ain't no lover-boy)
(He ain't no lover-boy)
(He ain't no lover-boy)
Lyrics submitted by Jeril, edited by Mellow_Harsher
She Passed by My Window Lyrics as written by Nicholas Cave
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I think the following lines, and the chorus are the key to the song:
Have you time for my company? No, I said. I have none to spare
You gotta sanctify my love You gotta sanctify my love You gotta sanctify my love I ain't no lover-boy
It seems to be about a woman who wishes to be in a sexual relationship with him (hence the references to spring and fruits that "soon wither on the ground", which I interpret as meaning that a relationship without love soon withers), but he associates this person with winter, "brittle snow", with things cold and dead; and he 'ain't no lover-boy', he doesn't have time for flings. Love for him is something religious, holy, to be set apart, and he wishes to keep it free from the sin of having this person in his company.
When she slaps the snow off her glove and moves on without a sound, it seems as if her reaction to his cool response is to brush his coldness aside, just like the snow. She appears unbothered, but her silence says otherwise.
I think that the glove also gives away both of their feelings, because the glove is a symbol/token of affection and love. She drops it near his window, but gets snow all over it.