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What We Really Were
Mission of Burma Lyrics


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It seems years and years ago that
People saw the sun
We would sleep on beaches
...

Now must I go sleep alone
Between clean whole sheets
But when I was with you we slept wrapped up
...

Of course you must know that it did all end
How then to recall what we really were
Of course you must know that it did all end
Nothing that perfect or simple ever lasts
For long

That haunting song you sang about
Picking roses and dropping them in the beloveds lap as she dreamed
The translation clumsy
Maybe it was that other song you sang about the beautiful dress that gets torn



Of course you must know that it did all end
How then to recall what we really were
Of course you must know that it did all end
Nothing that perfect or simple ever lasts
For long

Overall Meaning

The song "What We Really Were" by Mission of Burma deals with themes of nostalgia, loss, and the fleeting nature of perfection. The lyrics describe a time in the past when the singer and their loved one would sleep on beaches and bask in the warmth of the sun, contrasting with the present where the singer is alone in a sanitized environment, separated from their former lover. The phrase "clean whole sheets" suggests a certain emptiness and lack of intimacy. The memories of their past relationship are muddled and difficult to recall, as everything fittingly ended on a bittersweet note.


The final lines of the song emphasize the idea that perfection, whether in love or in life, is not meant to last, so it's important to cherish and appreciate it while it's present. This message is conveyed through the repeated phrase "of course you must know that it did all end", driving home the idea that everything in life is fleeting and temporary. The choice of words is raw and honest, with no sugarcoating, reflecting on the fact that despite the pain of loss, the memories shared were real and meaningful.


Line by Line Meaning

It seems years and years ago that People saw the sun
Back in the day, people lived in a world where they could see and enjoy the sun.


We would sleep on beaches
People didn't have a care in the world and would sleep on beaches.


Now must I go sleep alone Between clean whole sheets
Times have since changed and people now sleep alone in comfortable beds.


But when I was with you we slept wrapped up
However, when they were with someone special, they slept wrapped up together.


Of course you must know that it did all end
But like everything in life, that ended too.


How then to recall what we really were
They now struggle to remember what they were really like back then.


Nothing that perfect or simple ever lasts
Nothing in life is perfect or simple, and it doesn't last forever.




Contributed by Nathan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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