WISHING WELL
Adam Duritz Lyrics
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I see that
Twenty-four hours in a wishing well
Thinking about drowning
Thinking about pennies from heaven
I guess I'll realize in a day or more
I guess I'll tilt my head back in the rain
I guess I'll realize in a day or more
I guess I'll realize when I'm buried in the evidence
Did you think you were irresponsible
Well, I don't see that
One or two children on a workingman's salary
Doesn't seem like a lot to ask
I guess I'll realize in a day or more
I guess I'll realize when her baby starts to cry
Mothers in welfare lines, husbands who said goodbye
I think I realize
I think I realize, yeah
Didn't you wonder where your bright-eyed baby boy has gone
He's sleeping in the bottom of a wishing well
Whispering the ripples through the fates and changes
Did you think you were young and beautiful then
I see that
One or two people sliding gracefully together and apart
This sort of thing never lasts
I guess I'll realize in a day or more
I guess I'll realize when I'm twisting in the wind
After I say goodbye, I guess I'll understand why
I guess I realize
I guess I realize
Didn't you wonder where your bright-eyed baby boy has gone
He's a victim in the bottom of a wishing well
Wishing he was anywhere but there and gone
And didn't anyone wonder where their bright-eyed baby boy had gone
He's sleeping in the bottom of a wishing well
Wishing he wasn't suffering the same dreams all day long
I think I realize
I think I realize
Ahh baby, I think that I realize
I think I realize..
The lyrics of Adam Duritz's "Wishing Well" convey a sense of disillusionment and regret. The singer seems to be reflecting on past mistakes and missed opportunities. The opening lines suggest that the singer once believed in something or someone who turned out to be less than credible. The image of the "wishing well" evokes a childhood fairy tale, but here it is transformed into a place of despair and uncertainty. The singer is "thinking about drowning" and "pennies from heaven" – two contradictory desires that suggest a profound confusion or ambivalence. The repetition of the phrase "I guess I'll realize" conveys a sense of resignation, as though the singer is resigned to an inevitable realization, but not yet sure what that realization will be.
The second verse introduces a new theme: the singer is addressing someone who may have judged them for being "irresponsible" or wanting "too much." The singer defends themselves by suggesting that they only asked for the bare minimum – "one or two children on a workingman's salary." The final lines of the verse reveal a deeper source of guilt or concern: the singer will "realize" when they see "mothers in welfare lines" and "husbands who said goodbye." This implies that the singer has failed to provide for their family in some way, or perhaps that they are simply aware of the struggles of others.
The third verse returns to the image of the "bright-eyed baby boy," who is now "sleeping in the bottom of a wishing well." This seems to be a metaphor for lost potential or innocence. The boy is "whispering the ripples through the fates and changes," which suggests that he is trying to understand the complexity of the world around him. The last lines of the song suggest that the singer has finally gained some understanding or insight: "I think I realize... Ahh baby, I think that I realize." This could be read as a moment of redemption, or simply as a resigned acceptance of the world's imperfections.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you think you were unbelievable then
Did you believe you were beyond credible at some point
I see that
I understand that may have been the case
Twenty-four hours in a wishing well
An entire day spent contemplating in a well of hopes
Thinking about drowning
Pondering about sinking down into the abyss
Thinking about pennies from heaven
Contemplating on receiving unexpected blessings
I guess I'll realize in a day or more
I suppose the realization will surface within the next 24 hours or beyond
I guess I'll tilt my head back in the rain
I'll probably lean my head upwards when it starts raining
Drown myself on sky
Allowing the heavens to engulf me
I guess I'll realize when I'm buried in the evidence
Perhaps I'll comprehend when I'm overwhelmed with proof
Did you think you were irresponsible
Did you consider yourself lacking in responsibility
Well, I don't see that
As far as I can observe, that's not the case
One or two children on a workingman's salary
Raising a child or two with an average income
Doesn't seem like a lot to ask
Doesn't appear to be an excessive demand
I guess I'll realize in a day or more
I imagine understanding will come to light soon or after one day
I guess I'll realize when her baby starts to cry
I guess comprehension will enfold when her infant begins crying
Mothers in welfare lines, husbands who said goodbye
Mothers in queues seeking financial support, husbands who left
I think I realize
I believe I understand
Didn't you wonder where your bright-eyed baby boy has gone
Have you ever wondered where your son, once filled with joy, disappeared
He's sleeping in the bottom of a wishing well
He lies slumbering at the bottom of a dream-filled well
Whispering the ripples through the fates and changes
Uttering soft sounds through the effects and alterations of life
One or two people sliding gracefully together and apart
A couple gliding elegantly both close and away from each other
This sort of thing never lasts
This kind of situation inevitably comes to an end
I guess I'll realize in a day or more
Perhaps enlightenment will come after a day or beyond
I guess I'll realize when I'm twisting in the wind
I think I'll perceive when I'm in a predicament and uncertain about my circumstances
After I say goodbye, I guess I'll understand why
When I leave, I suppose I'll finally comprehend the reason behind things
He's a victim in the bottom of a wishing well
He's a casualty trapped deep down in a bottomless pit of desire
Wishing he wasn't suffering the same dreams all day long
Wishing he didn't endure identical fantasies all day
Ah baby, I think that I realize
Oh darling, I reckon I understand
I think I realize
I believe I comprehend
Contributed by Amelia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
katherine weaver
Awesome. Thank.you