I Will Follow You Into The Dark
Amy Millan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someday you will die
But I'll be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark
No blinding light
Or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NO's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
In Catholic school
As vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me
"Son, fear is the heart of love"
So I never went back
If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NO's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
You and me
Have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes
Are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
'Cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms
If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NO's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Amy Millan's song "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" is a poignant and introspective piece on mortality, love, and the afterlife. The song begins with the lines "Love of mine, someday you will die, but I'll be close behind, I'll follow you into the dark." This is a powerful message about love and devotion, indicating that the singer is willing to follow her loved one into death.
The second verse of the song discusses the afterlife and states that there will be no guiding light or pathway to follow, as people just have to hold onto each other and wait for the spark of life. The chorus talks about the singer's devotion to her loved one, even in death, and how she will follow him even if heaven and hell decide they are satisfied.
The third verse of the song delves into the singer's past, revealing her experiences in Catholic school and the lesson she learned from a cruel nun - that fear is the heart of love. The song then returns to discussing the present and future, with the singer stating that she and her loved one have seen all there is to see in life, and now it's time to rest.
Overall, "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" is a moving and emotive song about love and death, and how they are inextricably linked. It speaks to the idea that true love transcends even the boundaries of life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
Love of mine
Addressing the loved one affectionately.
Someday you will die
Accepting the inevitability of death for the loved one.
But I'll be close behind
Promising to follow the loved one into the afterlife.
I'll follow you into the dark
A reaffirmation of the promise to be with the loved one, even in death.
No blinding light
Rejecting traditional depictions of the afterlife.
Or tunnels to gates of white
Rejecting traditional concepts of heaven.
Just our hands clasped so tight
Emphasizing the importance of the relationship with the loved one.
Waiting for the hint of a spark
Holding on to the hope that there is something after death.
If heaven and hell decide
Acknowledging the possibility of an afterlife.
That they both are satisfied
Assuming that the concepts of heaven and hell are entities with their own desires/goals.
Illuminate the NO's on their vacancy signs
Suggesting that the afterlife is not a certainty.
If there's no one beside you
Reaffirming the promise to be with the loved one, even if there is no afterlife at all.
When your soul embarks
When the loved one dies and their soul leaves their body.
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Reaffirming the promise to follow the loved one into the unknown.
In Catholic school
Recalling a past experience with the Catholic faith.
As vicious as Roman rule
Comparing the strict rules of the Catholic school to the tyrannical rule of ancient Rome.
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
Recalling a physical punishment received from a nun.
And I held my tongue as she told me
Enduring the physical punishment without complaint.
"Son, fear is the heart of love"
Learning a valuable lesson from the nun about the complexity of love.
So I never went back
Choosing to leave Catholic school behind.
You and me
Referring to the artist and their loved one.
Have seen everything to see
Having shared many experiences together.
From Bangkok to Calgary
Traveling to many different places together.
And the soles of your shoes
The physical evidence of the experiences shared by the artist and their loved one.
Are all worn down
Further emphasizing the extent of their travels together.
The time for sleep is now
Accepting that death is near.
It's nothing to cry about
Comforting the loved one about their impending death.
'Cause we'll hold each other soon
Reaffirming the promise to be together, even in death.
In the blackest of rooms
Suggesting that the afterlife is a dark and unknown place.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Benjamin Gibbard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamescory2241
Guys, I'm pretty sure her intention/arrangement of this cover wasn't to "miss the tone". It has "tone", she simply made it her own. The best covers (at least in my opinion) aren't gauged by the original but instead, the artist's feels for personal direction of whatever they're covering. This is sweet and you can't deny that if you're ears, mind, and heart are open to new ideas.
@iamsunnystream
By now I think I like this version better then original. Simply wonderful. Both her albums are gems.
@Matthew-uh5kp
Most definitely ❤
@JustinGoulet21
This is a fantastic cover! I've covered this tune before but this one really brings something different to the table. Love the folk-y, western-y feel to it. Awesome!
@StereoLove421
I love the western sound in this song! Kind of folk-ish, and it's not too modern sounding western. Just lovely..
@bootlag123
i didnt know she did solo stuff! this is awsome
@LTPDfilms
I didn't know I wanted this until now.
@MetalerAnne
Amazing
@SteelguitarLane
Like the arrangement. The phrasing almost sounds rushed, or afraid of the emotions, so she sang without them. Much as I love the steel, gotta say there's something lacking
@LTPDfilms
Amy's canadian but I see your point.