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Absent Friends
The Divine Comedy Lyrics


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Absent Friends
Absent friends, here's to them
And happy days, we thought that they would never end.
Here's to absent friends.

Little Jean Seberg seemed
So full of life, but in those eyes such troubled dreams.
Poor little Jean.Woodbine Willie couldn't rest until he'd
Given every bloke a final smoke before the killing.
Old Woodbine Willie.

Steve McQueen jumped the first one clean
But the great escape he'd tried to make was not to be.
Maybe next time Steve.

Laika flew through inky blue
'Til Laika neared the atmosphere and Laika knew
Laika's life was through.

Oscar Wilde was a lonely child.
He fought and won acceptance from the world.
They smiled, they laughed, they praised,
They drove poor Oscar to his grave.

Absent friends, here's to them,
And happy days, we thought that they would never end,
But they always end.

Raise your glasses then to absent friends.

Overall Meaning

The Divine Comedy's song Absent Friends is a poignant tribute to those who have left us. The song begins with a toast to absent friends and reminisces about happy days that seemed like they would never end. The first verse tells the story of Jean Seberg, a Hollywood actress who struggled with depression and ultimately died by suicide. Her troubled dreams are reflected in her eyes, despite her seemingly full-of-life persona.


The second verse is dedicated to Woodbine Willie, a chaplain in World War I who would give cigarettes to soldiers before they went into battle. He felt it was important to give them a final comfort before they faced potential death. Despite his efforts, many young men still lost their lives, but he did all he could to bring some comfort to their final moments.


The third verse tells the story of Steve McQueen, a Hollywood legend who attempted to escape from a German prisoner of war camp during World War II. Although he successfully jumped the first fence, he was ultimately caught and punished, and his dreams of freedom were shattered. The final verse is about Laika, a dog who was the first living creature to orbit the Earth before ultimately perishing in space. The song ends with another toast to absent friends and a reminder that happy days always come to an end.


Line by Line Meaning

Absent friends, here's to them
Let's have a toast for the friends who are no longer with us


And happy days, we thought that they would never end.
We were so happy back then and thought those times would never end


Here's to absent friends.
Let's raise our glasses to our absent friends


Little Jean Seberg seemed So full of life, but in those eyes such troubled dreams. Poor little Jean.
Jean Seberg appeared lively, but she had sad eyes that showed otherwise


Woodbine Willie couldn't rest until he'd Given every bloke a final smoke before the killing. Old Woodbine Willie.
Woodbine Willie, a chaplain, couldn't sleep until he gave every soldier about to die a final cigarette


Steve McQueen jumped the first one clean But the great escape he'd tried to make was not to be. Maybe next time Steve.
Steve McQueen managed to jump the first fence with ease, but he couldn't escape from prison in his next attempt


Laika flew through inky blue 'Til Laika neared the atmosphere and Laika knew Laika's life was through.
Laika the space dog flew into space but realized near the atmosphere that it was going to be her last breath


Oscar Wilde was a lonely child. He fought and won acceptance from the world. They smiled, they laughed, they praised, They drove poor Oscar to his grave.
Oscar Wilde was a lonely child who sought acceptance from the world. Despite being popular later, the attention led him to his downfall


Absent friends, here's to them, And happy days, we thought that they would never end, But they always end.
We are still toasting for absent friends, but we now know that happy days don't last forever


Raise your glasses then to absent friends.
Let's continue to raise glasses to our absent friends




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NEIL HANNON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@aweescotsdog8358

@@Waiting664 Well, years later I'm still alive. Sadly, lost both parents in the interim. Dad got to 93 (three months ago) which was a pretty god run. Mum, somewhat unexpectedly, pre-deceased him at the age of 84 (two years ago). She was always younger than him but he was no cradle snatcher.

Their love gave birth to me and my sister, and my mum looked after my older brothers from my father's previous marriage. I hold no grudge against my father's first wife. In fact the complete opposite. I'm unrelated to her but she is a part of my father's past.

If she is still alive, which is probably not the case, I would still want to wish her well. For, as sad as I am, for both her and my father, my existence (and my sister's) would not have come about had their romance not failed.

Life can be complicated but, on the whole, I have been very lucky to be surrounded by people who are loving and kind.

In saying this, I am keenly aware that, however loving one's family may (or may not) be that others may not be as fortunate as I am.

In which case , I can only say, I wish you the strength to overcome life's obstacles and to be able to find the kindness and love that I'm fairly sure dwells within your heart.

Best Wishes

Dug

Slàinte



@anawiesenberger5285

Absent Friends
Absent friends, here's to them
And happy days, we thought that they would never end.
Here's to absent friends.

Little Jean Seberg seemed
So full of life, but in those eyes such troubled dreams.
Poor little Jean.Woodbine Willie couldn't rest until he'd
Given every bloke a final smoke before the killing.
Old Woodbine Willie.

Steve McQueen jumped the first one clean
But the great escape he'd tried to make was not to be.
Maybe next time Steve.

Laika flew through inky blue
'Til Laika neared the atmosphere and Laika knew
Laika's life was through.

Oscar Wilde was a lonely child.
He fought and won acceptance from the world.
They smiled, they laughed, they praised,
They drove poor Oscar to his grave.

Absent friends, here's to them,
And happy days, we thought that they would never end,
But they always end.

Raise your glasses then to absent friends.



All comments from YouTube:

@PK-sc2vn

My late father loved this band. Now 4 years on from his death I really wish I could sit and listen to this with him now that I appreciate it. Beautiful song

@davidflesher3760

LOST MY MUM RECENTLY KNOW WHAT YOU GOING THROUGH PLAYING IT JUST NOW.I LET HER HEAR IT A FEW MONTHS AGO SHE LOVED IT

@PK-sc2vn

@@davidflesher3760 all the best mate

@mightyamtoc

Same here my friend

@JMFERIA1

Neil Hannon is a gentleman. Eternal músic and infinite class

@stevendimmock4791

Neil Hannon is a class act. A statement that nobody can deny. We love you Neil, keep doing what you do.

@denstone111

When humans work together as a collective we can create such beauty.

@davidpyorkshire

A song with a beginning, middle and an end. A work of genius by Mr Hannon and you can see how much the orchestra love it too. Listen to it over and over.

@dickieetherton8846

Makes me cry every time I hear it
A truly beautiful piece of work !!

@davidgriffin1267

He opened with this when I saw him.

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