Even I, at twenty-one, am choked up by this song. It seems to me (as per my personal interpretation, of course) that he is not yet old and wise, and somewhat torn between contemplations of the finity of life and the pain of youth. The lines referring to the shadows approaching/surrounding him, are [obviously] a metaphor; it is his certainty that is enshadowed. As I'm still young, my future seems to stretch on almost infinitely. However, there will come a time when I am less certain of just how long I have left. What I can identify with personally, are the "bitter words" lines. The affections of certain others in my life are terribly important to me, and their words have the power to turn my world upside down. I can do my best to keep my sanity and my health, but I draw a great deal of my strength, from the future; hoping and telling myself that one day, things won't be so hard; one day I'll have the strength to handle this; one day simple words won't have such power over me. Sadly, this will probably not be the case; expecting to one day be immune to bitter words seems a fallacy; no matter how old or wise, I will always be human; but I can hope.
Even I, at twenty-one, am choked up by this song. It seems to me (as per my personal interpretation, of course) that he is not yet old and wise, and somewhat torn between contemplations of the finity of life and the pain of youth. The lines referring to the shadows approaching/surrounding him, are [obviously] a metaphor; it is his certainty that is enshadowed. As I'm still young, my future seems to stretch on almost infinitely. However, there will come a time when I am less certain of just how long I have left. What I can identify with personally, are the "bitter words" lines. The affections of certain others in my life are terribly important to me, and their words have the power to turn my world upside down. I can do my best to keep my sanity and my health, but I draw a great deal of my strength, from the future; hoping and telling myself that one day, things won't be so hard; one day I'll have the strength to handle this; one day simple words won't have such power over me. Sadly, this will probably not be the case; expecting to one day be immune to bitter words seems a fallacy; no matter how old or wise, I will always be human; but I can hope.
24 and so much more... neil young
24 and so much more... neil young
@Hraesvelg Very touching and insightful for such a young person. Well done.
@Hraesvelg Very touching and insightful for such a young person. Well done.