The End

I believe that this song is about a man who is dying.

What were all those dreams we shared Those many years ago? What were all those plans we made Now left beside the road? Behind us in the road -- This is a couple that has been together for awhile. He is looking back on their early years and reminiscent of all the dreams and plans they had for the future. He wants to know what happened to all the dreams that they had and believed in as a couple. He is thinking about all the plans that somehow got left behind as they "traveled" through life together.

More than friends I always pledged Cause friends they come and go -- He thinks as his wife and his relationship and more than friendship. He knows most friendships are fleeting, and recognizes that he has more than that with his wife.

People change as does everything I wanted to grow old Just want to grow old -- Another reference to the fact that this is a mature couple. He is different than the man he was when they first married. He wants to grow old with his wife and seems desperate, pleading to do so, the first indications that this man is ill.

Slide on next to me I’m just a human being I will take the blame But just the same This is not me You see Believe I’m better than this -- He is asking his wife to be with him. He is reminding her that he is human and susceptible to the faults of humanity. I personally think this may be an indication that the illness is changing who he is. Perhaps he is not handling it the way he or his wife think he should be. Maybe he is angrier or loses his temper and argues b/c of the stress, etc. He is saying that its not him, wants her to see that. He is better than what the illness has made him.

Don’t leave me so cold Or buried beneath the stones I just want to hold on And know I’m worth your love Enough I don’t think There’s such a thing -- He is asking her not to distance herself from him(another reason I think what I wrote above). He wants her love and to be worthy of it. However, he doubts that anyone is worthy of such love(since she is such an amazing woman).

It’s my fault, Now I been caught A sickness in my bones How it pains to leave you here With the kids on your own Just don’t let me go -- It never says what illness he may have, but perhaps he blames himself for it. I don't think that it was self inflicted. I think the blame is simply his thinking that someone has to be blamed(ie- I should have been stronger, etc). He knows that he is going to die, and the it hurts him to know that his wife with be left alone to raise their children. He pleads for her not to let him go.

Help me see myself Cause I can no longer tell Looking out from the inside of The bottom of a well It’s hell I yell But no one hears -- He is so lost in the illness, and it has changed him. He wants his wife to help him remember who he was before, he cannot even recognize himself anymore. He sees this illness differently from everyone else looking at him. He is trapped in a hell that no one can understand. He is screaming on the inside, but no hears him.

Before I disappear Whisper in my ear Give me something to echo In my unknown futures ear -- He wants his wife to say something comforting to him before he dies.

My dear The End Comes near I’m here But not much longer -- He is talking to his wife, telling her that death is coming. He is with her, but it will not be for much longer.