Shadows

This song, while perhaps my all time favorite Gordon Lightfoot song (particularly the version off of songbook, which i like a lot more than the ablum version for some reason) - doesn't confirm itself to me entirely.

Clearly this man is returning from traveling, or just not being around for what seems like many years. He is petitioning his ex / old lover in the doorway to look upon him and summon up those old emotions she perhaps held before he went away.

It seems like its left unanswered - he seems to tell her what will happen if she kisses him gently where they river runs away....however is see no real indication that they've gone through with it - in fact the somber tone of the song says to me, either she doesn't or at least we are left to wonder like this man, returning to his lover and having to wait. In that case it becomes much sadder, as it is not resolved, and he seems to love her so very much. But who knows what he did and where he went - maybe this guys some kinda jerk and i shouldn't feel bad.

Either way, great Gord song from later in his career.

I think this is Lightfoot thinking about his lover at home while he's touring ("all around the town") or canoeing (nature references). He's re-affirming his love and anticipating their reunion. Meanwhile, he hopes she shares the same feelings, by going to her door and seeing the same moon, the same shadow, even though they are apart.