When Youre Gone
3.7 Lyrics


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When was the day
When suddenly all of the time rolled away?
You were drifting along
Having some fun when you noticed the clock

Suddenly everything fell out of place
Burned all your bridges 'cause you grew up too late
The people you love are just so far away

When you're drifting
When you're drifting

Ten years on the road
And you still can't make it back home
You were caught out on your own
Still waiting for the whistle to blow

Suddenly everything fell out of place
Burned all your bridges 'cause you grew up too late
The people you love are just so far away

When you're drifting
When you're drifting
When you're drifting

Suddenly everything fell out of place
Burned all your bridges 'cause you grew up too late
People you love are just so far away

When you're drifting
When you're drifting
When you're drifting
When you're drifting

When you're drifting




When you're drifting
When you're drifting

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 3.7’s song “When You’re Gone” speaks of a sense of being lost and disconnected. It begins by talking about a moment when suddenly all of the time seems to have rolled away, where the persona was just having fun when they noticed the time. This suggests a feeling of being caught up in a never-ending cycle of mundane activities, without really paying attention to the bigger picture or taking charge of one’s life. Then, everything fell out of place and the persona burned all the bridges because they grew up too late. This metaphor of burning bridges suggests that the persona may have made choices that distanced them from loved ones or opportunities, leaving them stranded and separated from their support system.


The following lines suggest that the persona has been on the road for ten years and still cannot make it back home. This paints a picture of someone who has been struggling and unable to find a place of belonging or a sense of stability. They are still waiting for the whistle to blow, which may suggest waiting for some sort of sign or opportunity to return home. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase “when you’re drifting” which reinforces the idea of being lost and directionless.


Overall, the song’s lyrics are quite poignant and relatable, appealing to anyone who has felt a sense of displacement and longing for familiarity. It speaks to a universal human experience of wanting to feel connected and grounded amidst the chaos of life.


Line by Line Meaning

When was the day
At what point did time begin to slip away


When suddenly all of the time rolled away?
When did time seem to pass by so quickly?


You were drifting along
You were living life carefree and without direction


Having some fun when you noticed the clock
Enjoying yourself until you were reminded of the passage of time


Suddenly everything fell out of place
Unexpectedly, everything went wrong


Burned all your bridges 'cause you grew up too late
You made irreversible mistakes because you failed to mature in time


The people you love are just so far away
The ones you care about are out of reach


Ten years on the road
A decade has gone by travelling


And you still can't make it back home
You're still unable to return to where you belong


You were caught out on your own
You found yourself alone and stranded


Still waiting for the whistle to blow
You're waiting for a sign or a signal to prompt your next move


When you're drifting
When you're lost without direction


When you're drifting
When you're aimlessly wandering


Suddenly everything fell out of place
Suddenly things went awry


Burned all your bridges 'cause you grew up too late
You've burned your bridges because you lacked maturity at the time


People you love are just so far away
The people you love are just too distant to reach


When you're drifting
When you're unsure of where to go


When you're drifting
When you're lost without a purpose


When you're drifting
When you're wandering without direction


When you're drifting
When you're without a sense of belonging




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL HALSTEAD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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