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Ophelia
The Lumineers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I, I, when I was younger
I, I, should have known better
And I can't feel no remorse
And you don't feel nothing back

I, I, got a new girlfriend
She feels like he's on top
And I don't feel no remorse
And you can't see past my blinders

Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl since the flood
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love

I, I, got a little paycheck
You got big plans and you gotta move
And I don't feel nothing at all
And you can't feel nothing small

Honey, I love you, that's all she wrote

Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl like a drug
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love

Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl since the flood
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love

Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl like a drug
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Lumineers' song "Ophelia" touch upon themes of love, regret, and the nature of relationships. Throughout the song, the singer expresses a lack of remorse or regret for the end of his past relationship, despite having a new girlfriend. He acknowledges his selfishness, saying that he can't feel anything small, possibly alluding to his inability to empathize with his ex-partner's emotions.


The refrain of "Heaven help a fool who falls in love" suggests that the singer recognizes the potential for getting hurt or making mistakes in love. The reference to "Ophelia" is likely a nod to the Shakespearean character who meets a tragic end due to the men in her life. In the song, the singer desires to move on from his past relationship, but it is clear that his former partner still lingers on his mind. There is a feeling of being trapped in that relationship, as if he’s been swallowed up by the flood of memories.


Overall, the song seems to be commenting on the fragility of relationships and the way people can become disillusioned with love. The singer seems to be in a place where he can't really feel anything. He sounds lost and unsure of his emotions, perhaps numb to the affect his actions have had on his partners. The overall sound of the song is upbeat, despite the heavy subject matter, which contrasts with the lyrics and reinforces the contradictory emotions expressed in the song.


Line by Line Meaning

I, I, when I was younger
In the past when I was younger


I, I, should have known better
I made a mistake and should have known better


And I can't feel no remorse
I feel no regret for my actions


And you don't feel nothing back
You don't reciprocate my feelings


I, I, got a new girlfriend
I have a new girlfriend now


She feels like he's on top
She feels like she's on top of the world


And I don't feel no remorse
I feel no guilt about moving on


And you can't see past my blinders
You can't see the situation from my perspective


Oh, Ophelia
Addressing a woman named Ophelia


You've been on my mind girl since the flood
I've been thinking about you a lot


Heaven help a fool who falls in love
I am foolish for falling in love and need divine intervention


I, I, got a little paycheck
I got paid a small amount


You got big plans and you gotta move
You have ambitious plans and need to move forward


And I don't feel nothing at all
I don't feel anything about our current situation


And you can't feel nothing small
You can't appreciate the small moments between us


Honey, I love you, that's all she wrote
I love you and there's nothing more to say


You've been on my mind girl like a drug
I can't stop thinking about you


Oh, Ophelia
Addressing a woman named Ophelia


Heaven help a fool who falls in love
I am foolish for falling in love and need divine intervention


You've been on my mind girl since the flood
I've been thinking about you a lot


Oh, Ophelia
Addressing a woman named Ophelia


Heaven help a fool who falls in love
I am foolish for falling in love and need divine intervention


You've been on my mind girl like a drug
I can't stop thinking about you




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jeremy C Fraites, Wesley Keith Schultz

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@DaughterofPoseidon-jm5cg

My friend had a birthday party and we were driving when it was dark and snowy, and this song started playing. We tapped out the beat on our legs, and being band kids we all did different patterns, and it was magical. I will forever remember that when I hear this song.

@michaeljambalos4160

this comment will have plenty of likes one day... i promise you that

@reeknation2133

Cherish every moment for it means you're alive! You feel! Praise God for everything we experience good or bad because to feel means to live!!! Love you all!

@attipoevivian2207

God bless you for these words ​@@reeknation2133

@anxious_artist.

Now I'm imagining that while I listen to this

@katebass8203

I'm glad you got to have a magical time!

4 More Replies...

@embybobemby27

My husband and I listened to this song when we were dating and deemed it our song, we then had our first dance to it when we got married, I just gave birth to my baby girl who is now 3 weeks old, her name is Ophelia J Grace ❤ Don't you just love how the universe drops little things that into your life that secretly have an impact on everything that has ever happened to you? I certainly do. This is by far my favorite.

@lovebug-13

congratulations and that's adorable :D

@emmalandeis5277

Having a baby girl this December and naming her Ophelia after this song💜

@FoxysMagicSquad7

Congrats! and my math I'm guessing its 7 months? or 6 years old

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