I see how it could be about a couple breaking up, but I see it more as a man whose daughter is moving out. I'm not sure why I see it that way, but it makes sense in that in the first verse he refers to her as "A lady" showing she's grown up and they are not so close anymore, and she needs to go out into the world for herself. Again when he mentions the "child's drawings" and "a woman's silk", he is referencing her growth again. He realizes she will never see his vision of having her close to him. But is trying to comfort her and himself by saying that she can visit often via the "train everyday, leaving either way". The next line "there's a world you know" could be spoken by the daughter who is trying to explain herself.
Finally, he accepts her leaving and knowing that he will lose her more and more as she grows older and that he will repeat the process with his other children, he says "this is my opening farewell."
@kitconsul -- It doesn't matter what the chronology of his life was. He was talented enough to write songs that weren't always about himself specifically. Of course, he wove a lot of personal details into his songs, but there are several bits of his songs that don't fit with his life at all.
@kitconsul -- It doesn't matter what the chronology of his life was. He was talented enough to write songs that weren't always about himself specifically. Of course, he wove a lot of personal details into his songs, but there are several bits of his songs that don't fit with his life at all.
In short, this interpretation makes sense, because the song may not necessarily be following the chronology of Jackson's life. There is no reason to talk down to OldSoul1 like that.
In short, this interpretation makes sense, because the song may not necessarily be following the chronology of Jackson's life. There is no reason to talk down to OldSoul1 like that.
I see how it could be about a couple breaking up, but I see it more as a man whose daughter is moving out. I'm not sure why I see it that way, but it makes sense in that in the first verse he refers to her as "A lady" showing she's grown up and they are not so close anymore, and she needs to go out into the world for herself. Again when he mentions the "child's drawings" and "a woman's silk", he is referencing her growth again. He realizes she will never see his vision of having her close to him. But is trying to comfort her and himself by saying that she can visit often via the "train everyday, leaving either way". The next line "there's a world you know" could be spoken by the daughter who is trying to explain herself. Finally, he accepts her leaving and knowing that he will lose her more and more as she grows older and that he will repeat the process with his other children, he says "this is my opening farewell."
I don't see the chronology of Jackson's life matching your scenario....but whatever works for you.
I don't see the chronology of Jackson's life matching your scenario....but whatever works for you.
@kitconsul -- It doesn't matter what the chronology of his life was. He was talented enough to write songs that weren't always about himself specifically. Of course, he wove a lot of personal details into his songs, but there are several bits of his songs that don't fit with his life at all.
@kitconsul -- It doesn't matter what the chronology of his life was. He was talented enough to write songs that weren't always about himself specifically. Of course, he wove a lot of personal details into his songs, but there are several bits of his songs that don't fit with his life at all.
In short, this interpretation makes sense, because the song may not necessarily be following the chronology of Jackson's life. There is no reason to talk down to OldSoul1 like that.
In short, this interpretation makes sense, because the song may not necessarily be following the chronology of Jackson's life. There is no reason to talk down to OldSoul1 like that.