The piano is not firewood yet
They try to remember but still they forget
That the heart beats in threes
Just like a waltz
And nothing can stop you from dancing

Rise from your cold hospital bed
I'll tell you, you're not dying
Everyone knows you're going to live
So you might as well start trying

The piano is not firewood yet
But the cold does get cold
So it soon might be that
I'll take it apart, call up my friends
And we'll warm up our hands by the fire

Don't look so shocked
Don't judge so harsh
You don't know
You are only spying
Everyone knows it's going to hurt
But at least we'll get hurt trying

The piano is not firewood yet
But a heart can't be helped
And it gathers regret
Someday you'll wake up and feel a great pain
And you'll miss every toy you ever owned

You'll want to go back
You'll wish you were small
Nothing can solve your crying
You'll take the clock off of your wall
And you'll wish that it was lying

Love what you have and you'll have more love
You're not dying
Everyone knows you're going to love
Though there's still no cure for crying


Lyrics submitted by Xim, edited by RTrumbs, Delira

Firewood Lyrics as written by Regina Spektor

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Firewood song meanings
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    General Comment

    This song is about being in a place of horrible emotional pain or depression, but with the reassurance that things will get better. The audience is the piano, a metaphor using imagery of classic beauty (like the waltz) -- it might feel worn out and hurt, but it can still produce a waltz in its heart inside, through three beats -- and it's not useless/garbage/ready for destruction/firewood yet. "And nothing can stop you from dancing" means that no person who caused this pain can stop you from recovering and coming out on the other side a stronger person. Yes, it's going to hurt to go through the healing process, but all processes have a beginning and an end. It may seem like life is terrible right now, but there will come a day when you will take the calendar/clock of your life down off the wall and wish it hadn't all gone by so quickly. You will love again, though nothing can prevent that love from not lasting forever either, and the cycle will start again.

    nineteenfiftyfouron June 27, 2012   Link

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