That Western Skyline
Dawes Lyrics
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All the birds, the trees, the falling snow;
No, they were not made for me.
And though this is where her heart resides, we met in California.
She saw a city's promise reaching through my eyes,
And she turned her self away.
Well how I curse that western skyline.
And yet I thanked it for my start.
Oh Lou, no my dreams did not come true.
No, they only came apart.
So I followed her here to Birmingham, where the soil is so much richer
And though my aching pride might guide my hand, she did not ask for me to come.
So I wait for her all through the day, as if I wait for her surrender.
And every time I get her to look my way, she says I'm not where I belong.
But I watch her father preach on Sundays.
I know the hymnals all by heart.
But oh Lou, no my dreams did not come true.
No, they only came apart.
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
All the snow fall this time of year, it's not what Birmingham is used to
I get the feeling that I brought it here, and now I'm taking it away.
But let's share one more drink together, before I go reload my car.
And oh Lou, no my dreams did not come true.
No they only came apart.
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Take me home,
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
Ohhhh, oh oh oh oh
The lyrics of Dawes's song That Western Skyline convey the inner turmoil and sense of displacement experienced by the singer. He expresses his feeling of not belonging to his surroundings and not feeling welcome, even though he has followed his partner to Birmingham. The imagery of the birds, trees and the snow falling do not resonate with him, and he talks about them not being made for him. However, he is aware that the western skyline is where he owes his start and yet, the dreams that he had have only come apart. He has followed his partner to Birmingham, hoping to make a fresh start, but even there, he feels disconnected and out of place.
The singer mentions waiting for his partner to surrender and wanting her to acknowledge him. He observes her life and knows her father preaches on Sundays. He talks about his aching pride guiding his hand, thus hinting at his desire to belong somewhere. The song ends with a poignant note, with the singer feeling that he has even brought snowfall to Birmingham and decides to leave. He implores his partner to take him home, and the song ends on a note of hopelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lou, I'd like to let you know that I do not feel welcome.
Addressing Lou, the singer expresses that they don't feel welcome where they are.
All the birds, the trees, the falling snow;
Listing natural beauties that exist despite the singer's sense of unwelcome-ness.
No, they were not made for me.
The singer feels like they don't belong in the natural world that surrounds them.
And though this is where her heart resides, we met in California.
Despite their lack of comfort in the current location, the artist met someone special here.
She saw a city's promise reaching through my eyes,
The person the artist met saw hope and promise in the artist's vision of the city.
And she turned her self away.
Despite the connection they shared, the special person rejected the singer.
Well how I curse that western skyline.
The singer feels animosity towards the skyline of the western city that didn't bring them what they wanted.
And yet I thanked it for my start.
Despite the artist's frustration, they recognize that the city provided them with a beginning and opportunity.
Oh Lou, no my dreams did not come true.
Addressing Lou once again, the artist expresses their disappointment that their dreams didn't come to fruition.
No, they only came apart.
Emphasizing that their dreams didn't just fail, but actively fell apart in front of them.
So I followed her here to Birmingham, where the soil is so much richer
The singer followed someone to Birmingham for the promise of opportunity and personal growth.
And though my aching pride might guide my hand, she did not ask for me to come.
Despite the artist's own desires, the person they followed didn't request them to come to Birmingham.
So I wait for her all through the day, as if I wait for her surrender.
The singer is waiting for the person they followed, with the hope that they'll change their mind and come back to them.
And every time I get her to look my way, she says I'm not where I belong.
When the singer does manage to get the person's attention, they're met with more rejection.
But I watch her father preach on Sundays.
Despite their pain, the singer still attends events related to the person they followed and her family, such as church services.
I know the hymnals all by heart.
The artist is familiar with the religious hymns sung in the church.
But oh Lou, no my dreams did not come true.
Once again addressing Lou, the artist reiterates that their dreams haven't been realized.
No, they only came apart.
Echoing an earlier line, the singer emphasizes that their dreams actively fell apart.
All the snow fall this time of year, it's not what Birmingham is used to
The singer notes the unusual snowy weather in Birmingham.
I get the feeling that I brought it here, and now I'm taking it away.
The artist feels responsible for bringing the snow (and possibly other negative experiences) to Birmingham, and now feels that they're responsible for taking it away.
But let's share one more drink together, before I go reload my car.
Despite everything, the artist wants to spend some more time with the person they followed before leaving town.
Take me home,
As the song ends, the artist requests to be taken back to their original home.
Contributed by Jack N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.