There are many things I wonder
There are many things I don't
It seems as though the things I wonder most
Are the things I never find out

I wonder about the stars above
I wonder about the birds that fly
I wonder about your love
But most of all I wonder why you make me cry

I wonder, I wonder
I wonder why we have to say goodbye
There are some things I don't understand
There are some things I do

But one thing I don't understand
Is why we have to be so blue
I understand why you feel the way you do
Because I feel the same way too

I wonder why our minds drift astray
I wonder why life goes on this way
I wonder why we have to part
We both know it'll break our heart

There are many things I wonder
There are many things I don't
I'll be glad when I find all these things out
But until I do things won't change with me and you

With me and you things will stay the same
With me and you things won't change
With me and you things will be the same

Overall Meaning

The Shaggs’ song “Things I Wonder” is a poignant reflection on unanswerable questions and the struggle to understand the world and relationships around us. The song centers on the idea that the things we most want to know often remain a mystery, while the things we do understand may not bring us comfort or satisfaction. The lyrics express a sense of longing to understand the mysteries of the universe, the flight of birds, and the nature of love, while also acknowledging the pain of heartbreak and the confusion of everyday life.

The central theme of the song is the struggle to find meaning and understanding in a world that often seems indifferent to our desires and struggles. The lyrics suggest that even the most fundamental aspects of our lives remain elusive and mysterious, and that the search for answers may ultimately be futile. Despite this sense of uncertainty, the song retains a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, suggesting that even though we may not find all the answers we seek, we can continue to persevere and find meaning in the journey itself.

Overall, “Things I Wonder” is a powerful meditation on the human condition, combining a sense of wonder and curiosity with a recognition of the often-painful limitations of our knowledge and understanding.

Line by Line Meaning

There are many things I wonder
The singer has a lot of questions in their mind

There are many things I don't
There are things the singer does not question

It seems as though the things I wonder most
The singer's most pressing questions stay unanswered

Are the things I never find out
The artist never discovers the answers to their questions

I wonder about the stars above
The artist questions the existence and purpose of celestial bodies

I wonder about the birds that fly
The singer questions the movement and reason behind avian activity

I wonder about your love
The singer is uncertain about the validity and strength of the other person's feelings

But most of all I wonder why you make me cry
The artist is confused as to why the other person causes them pain

I wonder why we have to say goodbye
The artist is unsure why they must part ways with the other person

There are some things I don't understand
The artist acknowledges their lack of comprehension on certain matters

But one thing I don't understand
The singer is baffled by a particular issue

Is why we have to be so blue
The artist doesn't know why they must feel sad and melancholic

I understand why you feel the way you do
The singer comprehends why the other person is emotional or upset

Because I feel the same way too
The singer acknowledges their shared feelings with the other person

I wonder why our minds drift astray
The singer questions why their thoughts wander

I wonder why life goes on this way
The artist is curious why existence and events progress in a certain manner

I wonder why we have to part
The artist is uncertain about why they must separate

We both know it'll break our heart
The singer and the other person anticipate that it will be difficult to part ways

I'll be glad when I find all these things out
The singer hopes to find answers to their questions

But until I do things won't change with me and you
The artist acknowledges that their relationship with the other person will remain the same until they find answers

With me and you things will stay the same
The artist acknowledges the status quo of their relationship

With me and you things won't change
The artist acknowledges that their relationship won't advance until they find the answers to their questions

With me and you things will be the same
The singer emphasizes the stagnant nature of their affections

Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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