I've always felt this song is about a couple of lovers where the man is dying, and the woman is comforting him (he's 'pining one last kiss', and 'struggling with this lifeline', ie struggling to stay with her for a few more moments). It also might be a violent, sudden death, like a car accident or something, because a 'crowd has gathered round' them. It's also evident how he resents his life ending (feels 'cheated by this turn', ie turn of events), but is grateful for the love that they had together.
She's holding him and trying to comfort him, but he's telling her not to worry, and that everything will be fine. Note how she holds him with her arms, but he 'holds' (shields, whatever) her with his wings, as though he's an angel (hence the dying idea). There are other elements supporting the idea of the narrator dying, like 'sleep now is descending like a dream', and 'I fade from memory and move on'.
The verse about the spirit being like a flame sounds like he's telling her not to give up, a sentiment that is repeated through the song, and at the end of the song, he's telling her to be strong, and go on (ie, get on with her life, and not be sad).
I've never thought too closely about these lyrics until now, but I think you're right. Even the title 'These Living Arms' indicates that he's comforted by the life in her arms but that his life is fading.
Always loved this song, even more so now, but for me its now a much sadder song. Prior to this I just thought it was about a man who drew strength from being with his woman.
I've never thought too closely about these lyrics until now, but I think you're right. Even the title 'These Living Arms' indicates that he's comforted by the life in her arms but that his life is fading.
Always loved this song, even more so now, but for me its now a much sadder song. Prior to this I just thought it was about a man who drew strength from being with his woman.
I've always felt this song is about a couple of lovers where the man is dying, and the woman is comforting him (he's 'pining one last kiss', and 'struggling with this lifeline', ie struggling to stay with her for a few more moments). It also might be a violent, sudden death, like a car accident or something, because a 'crowd has gathered round' them. It's also evident how he resents his life ending (feels 'cheated by this turn', ie turn of events), but is grateful for the love that they had together.
She's holding him and trying to comfort him, but he's telling her not to worry, and that everything will be fine. Note how she holds him with her arms, but he 'holds' (shields, whatever) her with his wings, as though he's an angel (hence the dying idea). There are other elements supporting the idea of the narrator dying, like 'sleep now is descending like a dream', and 'I fade from memory and move on'.
The verse about the spirit being like a flame sounds like he's telling her not to give up, a sentiment that is repeated through the song, and at the end of the song, he's telling her to be strong, and go on (ie, get on with her life, and not be sad).
I've never thought too closely about these lyrics until now, but I think you're right. Even the title 'These Living Arms' indicates that he's comforted by the life in her arms but that his life is fading. Always loved this song, even more so now, but for me its now a much sadder song. Prior to this I just thought it was about a man who drew strength from being with his woman.
I've never thought too closely about these lyrics until now, but I think you're right. Even the title 'These Living Arms' indicates that he's comforted by the life in her arms but that his life is fading. Always loved this song, even more so now, but for me its now a much sadder song. Prior to this I just thought it was about a man who drew strength from being with his woman.