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History of Us Lyrics

I went all the way to Paris to forget your face
Captured in stained glass, young lives long since passed
Statues of lovers every place
I went all across the continent to relieve this restless love
I walked through the ruins, icons of glory
Smashed by the bombs from above

So we must love while these moments are still called today
Take part in the pain of this passion play
Stretching our youth as we must, until we are ashes to dust
Until time makes history of us

Jeu de Paume's full of faces knowing peace, knowing strife
Leisure and toil, still it's canvas and oil
There's just no medium for life
In the midst of the rubble I felt a sense of rebirth
In a dusty cathedral the living god called
And I prayed for my life here on earth

So we must love while these moments are still called today
Take part in the pain of this passion play
Stretching our youth as we must, until we are ashes to dust
Until time makes history of us

There are mountains in Switzerland, brilliant cold as they stand
From my hotel room, watching the half-moon
Bleeding its light like a lamb
And the town is illumined, it's tiny figures are fast asleep
And it dawns on me the time is upon me
To return to the flock I must keep

So we must love while these moments are still called today
Take part in the pain of this passion play
Stretching our youth as we must, until we are ashes to dust
Until time makes history of us
Song Info
Submitted by
aur0ra On Dec 23, 2001
2 Meanings

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Cover art for History of Us lyrics by Indigo Girls

Just my opinon....

I majored in Music, went to grad school for lyrical composition and own about 5000 cds. I love lyrics and the construction of words and how they enhance musical passages. Im a hard rock fan, especially bands that are know for killer lyrics. Tool, Rush, etc. Having said that, i think this is the greatest lyrical composition ever put to music....

I went to school for lyrics and still i dont have the words to describe the genius of this simple song.....

bravo ladies....

Cover art for History of Us lyrics by Indigo Girls

The meaning isn't too compicated; this is about needing to forget the memory of a past love and the impossibility of such a futile attempt. I have to agree with discman about the lyrics, but I think the Indigo girls' poetry has only gotten better. If you like this, I suggest listening to: The Language or the Kiss, Love will come to You, Fugitive, Ghost, Philosophy of loss... the list goes on and I would say many songs match or exceed the power of this one

 
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