Detlef Schrempf

Whether or not this is the intended meaning of the song, this is exactly how I interpreted it as well. In this song I hear longing, unrequited love, and loneliness. I also hear a quiet acceptance and understanding. I think the situation you described fits perfectly with the lyrics of the song. I imagine that the girl is a close friend with the speaker, and loves him platonically, but doesn’t see him the way he sees her. The lyric, “And say you're at a loss or forgot that words can do more than harm” describes the guy’s confession of love, and her reaction to his words. They don’t just harm their relationship, but they cause her to severe ties. I think that this girl is afraid or incapable of being in a relationship, and maybe this guy is just one of many rejected suitors. I think this would describe the stanza where he says, “So take it as a song or a lesson to learn And sometime soon be better than you were If you say you're gonna go, then be careful And watch how you treat every living soul” It’s possible that he has accepted that she is going along her way, but he hopes that one day she can change her ways and love someone in return.