It seems to me that its about someone who lived a very simple and civilized life. no adventures or passionate moments, just calm living. then on some life-changing weekend night this elizabeth girl comes along and shows him her side of life, full of excitement and daring fun. "my mind was set, just like the sun's red, but now the sun is setting" probably just explains how he had a very strict view of how his life would be played out, but now things are changing.
the man seems to have this recurring fear of dying, probably not actually death but a little more metaphorical. He sees elizabeth's life as a ticket down the drain, but slowly, through their relationship begins to trust her. "despite the red and years and years of sinning, elizabeth is winning" possibly winning his heart?
then on this bike trip in st andrews, he gives in. he gives up his "purity" realizing that life is so much more than strict complacency.
this purity could mean alot of things, but i specifically think it means sexual purity, and with the next line hinting at rolling around in the dirt and getting a little roughed up - it seems clear that they made love, probably his first time, and finally, he's begun to breath outside the stillness he's lived in so long.
and with this "rite of passage" so to speak, he's not afraid of the metaphorical dying like he was before. forget all the people that judge him, because he doesnt care anymore because hes learned to enjoy life.
the song certainly is a beautiful song.
It seems to me that its about someone who lived a very simple and civilized life. no adventures or passionate moments, just calm living. then on some life-changing weekend night this elizabeth girl comes along and shows him her side of life, full of excitement and daring fun. "my mind was set, just like the sun's red, but now the sun is setting" probably just explains how he had a very strict view of how his life would be played out, but now things are changing.
the man seems to have this recurring fear of dying, probably not actually death but a little more metaphorical. He sees elizabeth's life as a ticket down the drain, but slowly, through their relationship begins to trust her. "despite the red and years and years of sinning, elizabeth is winning" possibly winning his heart?
then on this bike trip in st andrews, he gives in. he gives up his "purity" realizing that life is so much more than strict complacency.
this purity could mean alot of things, but i specifically think it means sexual purity, and with the next line hinting at rolling around in the dirt and getting a little roughed up - it seems clear that they made love, probably his first time, and finally, he's begun to breath outside the stillness he's lived in so long.
and with this "rite of passage" so to speak, he's not afraid of the metaphorical dying like he was before. forget all the people that judge him, because he doesnt care anymore because hes learned to enjoy life.