Nineteen
;Forward Russia! Lyrics
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Couldn't see the change
But blissful lights still happen
Through the darkest days
She strokes her hair
In the bathroom sink
It lost volume
I gave up
On falling asleep
As the hands began
To shove
Before you've even seen it
The old horizon's gone
Another recollection
Of the blind, deaf summer sun
But eyes are not the be all
And end all of the west
The east may hold a pair now
But maybe just address
The doubts you have
There's no great rush
To make this change
She showed some sense some time ago
When she was happy
She thought that this would make her happier
I've told you for the fifth time
I've told you for the twelfth
I'll give up just when you will
You better warn yourself
You'll get left back
In the cold and rain
And now and again
Balancing your roles
I see you get bogged down
And though you say, it's not good
Your life still lingers on
And so now, little gosling
Don't become a swan
I tried to be so special
And I thought, I was alone
I wanted to be special
But I failed us all
So please, now
Please just trust me
Your life still lingers on
And so now, little gosling
Don't become a swan
The song "Nineteen" by Forward Russia! is a poetic exploration of change, memory, and self-doubt. Central to the lyrics is the image of blindness or poor vision, as captured in the opener: "Ancient sore oculi / Couldn't see the change." The singer acknowledges that some things cannot be seen, but hints at the possibility of finding "blissful lights" even in the darkness. The following lines describe a woman standing in front of a bathroom sink, perhaps seeing herself as someone who has lost something - maybe beauty or confidence. The use of the word "volume" suggests that the woman's hair has become thin or weak, and with it, her sense of vitality.
The chorus echoes the theme of change and loss, as the singer reflects on how the horizon seems to disappear quickly and how memories of summer become hazy. But he also reminds himself and the listener that sight is not the only sense that matters: there may be another way of looking at things, another way of sensing the world. The phrase "the east may hold a pair now" could refer to a new perspective or someone else who can see what the singer cannot. However, the singer also notes that doubts and fears can be powerful forces that prevent us from embracing change. He urges someone else to take their time with making changes and not to worry about moving too quickly.
The final verses shift to a more confrontational tone, as the singer seems to be addressing someone directly: "I'll give up just when you will / You better warn yourself." The repeated mention of giving up could suggest a sense of resignation or exhaustion, but there's also a hint of stubbornness or defiance. The singer seems to be saying that they won't give up on themselves until the other person gives up on them. The final lines offer a kind of warning or advice: "little gosling, don't become a swan." The metaphor suggests that the singer is trying to protect someone from changing too much or too quickly - perhaps because they fear losing them.
Line by Line Meaning
Ancient sore oculi
Eyes that have witnessed past pain
Couldn't see the change
Unable to recognize progress or improvement
But blissful lights still happen
Moments of happiness and joy still occur
Through the darkest days
Even in the most difficult times
She strokes her hair
She absentmindedly plays with her hair
In the bathroom sink
Standing over a sink in a private setting
It lost volume
Her hair has become limp and lifeless
It lost the will to give
Her hair is no longer capable of providing her with confidence
I gave up
I lost hope
On falling asleep
In attempting to rest
As the hands began
When the time approached
To shove
To forcefully move forward
Before you've even seen it
Before the change has become obvious
The old horizon's gone
The former boundaries have disappeared
Another recollection
Remembering another memory
Of the blind, deaf summer sun
Thinking of the past summer as being unchanging and unresponsive
But eyes are not the be all
Sight is not the most important sense
And end all of the west
The western ways of thinking do not hold all the answers
The east may hold a pair now
Alternative ways of living may present themselves in the east
But maybe just address
Try to understand them instead of dismissing them outright
The doubts you have
Your uncertainties and fears
There's no great rush
Take the time you need, no need to act impulsively
To make this change
To switch to a new way of living
She showed some sense some time ago
She once displayed good judgement
When she was happy
During a time of joy and contentment
She thought that this would make her happier
An action taken to increase her joy, but was unsuccessful
I've told you for the fifth time
I have informed you repeatedly
I've told you for the twelfth
I have stated this a dozen times
I'll give up just when you will
I will continue to persist as long as you do
You better warn yourself
Prepare yourself for the consequences
You'll get left back
You will be abandoned
In the cold and rain
Under unpleasant circumstances
And now and again
From time to time
Balancing your roles
Juggling multiple responsibilities
I see you get bogged down
I notice you becoming overwhelmed
And though you say, it's not good
Despite your claims that everything is fine
Your life still lingers on
Your existence continues
And so now, little gosling
Addressing someone young and inexperienced
Don't become a swan
Do not expect to suddenly transform into something greater than what you are
I tried to be so special
I attempted to be unique and exceptional
And I thought, I was alone
Believed that no one else shared my struggles
I wanted to be special
My desire to stand out from others
But I failed us all
I let everyone down
So please, now
Asking for cooperation
Please just trust me
Have faith in me
Your life still lingers on
Even if things are difficult, you still have a lot of life left
And so now, little gosling
Addressing someone young and inexperienced
Don't become a swan
Do not expect to suddenly transform into something greater than what you are
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KATHRYN ROSE NICHOLLS, ROBERT FRANCIS CANNING, SAMUEL NICHOLLS, THOMAS DOMINIC WOODHEAD
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