If I had known your heart was down
That lonely day in Greenville town
Then I would have been more concerned
But later on I truly learned
How it can feel in every bone
To really see that you're all alone

But I'll kiss your head
When death finds your bed
And you are gone

And if I had seen the way it would be
I'd hushed your cries, when you came to me
If I could do what I did to you
The same to me
And I would love for you to see
That I sleep with remorse
And regret hangs round my door forever more.

If I had known the lowering tide
Was lowering with the way you felt inside
If I had known all hope was gone
A broken heart and a broken home
That pierced a lover's past
And carved the lonely path
For her to walk

So if ever someone says to you,
"Life isn't fair, get used to it"
Then you should say
"Well it might be, if folks like you would let it be"

But I’ll kiss your head
When death becomes my bed
And I am gone


Lyrics submitted by Thrilliam, edited by Mellow_Harsher, gennybear

The Lowering (A Sad Day in Greenvilletown) song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    I don't think this song is about a break up, it seems to be about a friend committing suicide. The narrator is recalling how he failed to see the signs and feels it is his fault.

    mattv824on September 20, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i definitely agree with you mattv824.

    this song means the world to me. my sister committed suicide out of no where and i had seen her the day before but i failed to realize what was going on inside of her and now i beat myself up about it.

    the avett brothers mean so much to me.

    triSARAtopson April 29, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is beautiful and haunting. Something about the melody just hits me... I agree that this sounds like a song about suicide. I wonder what the story is behind it.

    mnteckyon October 10, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I'm living this beautiful song right now. Fiance left me & sleeping each night with the regret & remorse for what I did. I love the low string sounds from the bass. I'm getting used to it.

    easytriggeron April 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song has helped me get through the roughest and most painful breakup I've ever gone through. I only wish my ex felt the way the Avett Brothers feel in this song.

    "If I could do what I did to you The same to me that I would love for you to see That I sleep with remorse"

    My favorite lines...

    purplestainedmartianon September 22, 2009   Link

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