It is obviously full of seasonal imagery and could be taken as a simple description of how we have historically had to appreciate and make the most of practical opportunities when they came round (spring).
Part of the beauty of it is that the seasonal metaphor is so open to interpretation. Anything that goes through cycles of plenty and scarcity can fit. I always think of a very intense but short-lived relationship I had. Welcome to Dumpsville - population: me!
The chorus and emphasis seems to be from the perspective of someone in winter, looking back at how aware and grateful they were of everything the year gave them, particularly how far he was able to travel (swim). The fact that the singer starts with, "I used to..." suggests that winter has now made him incapable of such appreciation.
The verses consist of the singer acknowledging that WHEN winter dies, life returns, things can happen. However, the repeated line,
"With one more year for a man to change his ways"
indicates that the singer is unhappy with his previous ways, that he feels perhaps somehow to blame for how harsh winter comes again and again.
At the end of the song, there is a reversal - the singer states that he was "grateful for all [he] received [even] through WINTER cold and spring". Maybe he has had to experience enough winters to appreciate their value and not unduly fear their return...
Absolutely beautiful song!
It is obviously full of seasonal imagery and could be taken as a simple description of how we have historically had to appreciate and make the most of practical opportunities when they came round (spring).
Part of the beauty of it is that the seasonal metaphor is so open to interpretation. Anything that goes through cycles of plenty and scarcity can fit. I always think of a very intense but short-lived relationship I had. Welcome to Dumpsville - population: me!
The chorus and emphasis seems to be from the perspective of someone in winter, looking back at how aware and grateful they were of everything the year gave them, particularly how far he was able to travel (swim). The fact that the singer starts with, "I used to..." suggests that winter has now made him incapable of such appreciation.
The verses consist of the singer acknowledging that WHEN winter dies, life returns, things can happen. However, the repeated line,
"With one more year for a man to change his ways"
indicates that the singer is unhappy with his previous ways, that he feels perhaps somehow to blame for how harsh winter comes again and again.
At the end of the song, there is a reversal - the singer states that he was "grateful for all [he] received [even] through WINTER cold and spring". Maybe he has had to experience enough winters to appreciate their value and not unduly fear their return...
@musicnmeaning Dumpsville ahah
@musicnmeaning Dumpsville ahah
Such a lovely interpretation btw <3
Such a lovely interpretation btw <3