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Before the Bridge
Future Islands Lyrics


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And I will walk you home
And I will leave you there
I'll take the books you stole
And leave a heart that bears this

I hope you have what you need
I hope the moon is listening
I hope you have what you need
I gave my soul my body
I hope you have what you need
I hope the moon is listening
I hope you have what you need
I gave you soul and body

And if things had changed
I would have buried you deep in my heart
And if things had stayed the same
I would have carried you as far as the sky

Whatever has us now
I can't forget somehow
For to forget a love is to regret
And what is love is regret
And what isn't love is a test

And if things had changed
I would have buried you deep in my heart
And if things had stayed the same
I would have carried you as far as the sky

Do you believe in love?
Do you believe in love?
Hold your tongue
Hold your tongue
Do you believe in love?
Do you believe in love?
Hold your tongue
Hold your tongue
Do you believe in love?
Do you believe in love?
Hold your tongue
Hold your tongue

'Cause if things had changed
I would have buried you deep in my heart
And if things had stayed the same
I would have carried you as far as the sky
Far far away

Whatever has us now
I can't forget somehow
For to forget a love is to regret

Overall Meaning

The song "Before the Bridge" by Future Islands is a poignant and emotional song that speaks to the depth of human emotions and relationships. The lyrics reflect the feelings of someone who is walking their loved one home and leaving them there while taking the books they stole and leaving behind a heart that bears their love. The song is a reflection on what could have been in their relationship if things had changed or if they had stayed the same.


The repetition of the line "I hope you have what you need" reinforces the idea that the singer truly cares about the other person’s well-being, even if they can't be together. The lyrics express fear that the love the singer still feels for the other person will be forgotten but also that to forget a love is to regret. Through the lyrics, the singer is grappling with letting go of someone they deeply care for but can no longer be with.


Overall, the song's meaning is bittersweet, a reflection of love that remains unrequited, though precious and profound in the memory of what has passed.


Line by Line Meaning

And I will walk you home
I will accompany you back to your place


And I will leave you there
I will depart after safely escorting you to your destination


I'll take the books you stole
I'll help smuggle the books you took without permission


And leave a heart that bears this
I'll leave behind a heart that aches with emotion


I hope you have what you need
I hope you possess everything that brings you contentment


I hope the moon is listening
I hope that your needs and wishes are granted


I hope you have what you need
I hope you possess everything that brings you contentment


I gave my soul my body
I gave you everything


I hope you have what you need
I hope you possess everything that brings you contentment


I hope the moon is listening
I hope that your needs and wishes are granted


I hope you have what you need
I hope you possess everything that brings you contentment


I gave you soul and body
I gave you everything


And if things had changed
If things were different


I would have buried you deep in my heart
I would have kept you dearly in my memories


And if things had stayed the same
If nothing was different


I would have carried you as far as the sky
I would have gone to great lengths to make you happy


Whatever has us now
Whatever our current situation is


I can't forget somehow
I'm unable to forget


For to forget a love is to regret
If I forget this love, I'll live with regret


And what is love is regret
Love carries the risk of regret


And what isn't love is a test
If it's not love, it's a challenge


Do you believe in love?
Do you trust in love?


Hold your tongue
Be quiet and listen


Hold your tongue
Be quiet and listen


Do you believe in love?
Do you trust in love?


Do you believe in love?
Do you trust in love?


Hold your tongue
Be quiet and listen


Hold your tongue
Be quiet and listen


Do you believe in love?
Do you trust in love?


Do you believe in love?
Do you trust in love?


Hold your tongue
Be quiet and listen


Hold your tongue
Be quiet and listen


'Cause if things had changed
Because if things were different


I would have buried you deep in my heart
I would have kept you dearly in my memories


And if things had stayed the same
If nothing was different


I would have carried you as far as the sky
I would have gone to great lengths to make you happy, regardless of the situation


Far far away
A great distance away




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Gerrit Welmers, Samuel Thompson Herring, William Hugh Cashion

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

@chelseahernandez4926

And I will walk you home
And I will leave you there
I'll take the books you stole
And leave a heart that bears this
I hope you have what you need
I hope the moon is listening
I hope you have what you need
I gave my soul my body
I hope you have what you need
I hope the moon is listening
I hope you have what you need
I gave you soul and body
And if things had changed
I would have buried you deep in my heart
And if things had stayed the same
I would have carried you as far as the sky
Whatever has us now
I can't forget somehow
For to forget a love is to regret
And what is love is regret
And what isn't love is a test
And if things had changed
I would have buried you deep in my heart
And if things had stayed the same
I would have carried you as far as the sky
Do you believe in love?
Do you believe in love?
Hold your tongue
Hold your tongue
Do you believe in love?
Do you believe in love?
Hold your tongue
Hold your tongue
Do you believe in love?
Do you believe in love?
Hold your tongue
Hold your tongue
'Cause if things had changed
I would have buried you deep in my heart
And if things had stayed the same
I would have carried you as far as the sky
Far far away
Whatever has us now
I can't forget somehow
For to forget a love is to regret



All comments from YouTube:

@emilrobyn4216

one of the most underrated songs and bands in recent history

@mrvivalatang

Criminally underated! Loveeeee this song!

@francisco4434

justice comes in from time to time and what i can assure you is that this band will be one of the greatest of recent times!

@rodguilbeau113

Totally agree, love Future Islands 💕

@iamclydieCS

Yeah [=]

@iamclydieCS

oh yerh

@itslaureninnit

i only let myself listen to this on special occasions. I never want to ruin this song for myself.

@cronker86

lauren b-n it NEVER GETS OLD!

@Joao58420

I really feel u

@mrvivalatang

Still getting smacked fair in the feels :)

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