Tomorrow
Andrea von Kampen Lyrics
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How long till we′re sorry?
How long can the blood stain my hands?
Scrubbing with my might like Lady M
And I'm singing
Out damn spot and I′m singing
And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Nothing seems to matter even sorrow
And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
How long till you unlock the cage?
How long till their free from their pain?
How long can the blood stain the hands
Of greedy men with greedy thoughts in their head?
And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Nothing seems to matter even sorrow
Oh tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Oh tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Nothing seems to matter even sorrow
The lyrics of Andrea von Kampen's song, "Tomorrow," delve into the themes of guilt, repentance, and hope for the future. The opening lines, "How long till the river runs blue? How long till we're sorry?" highlight the extent of irreversible damage done to the environment, and how long it will take for humanity to apologize for it. The subsequent lines, "How long can the blood stain my hands? Scrubbing with my might like Lady M," allude to Lady Macbeth scrubbing her hands to rid herself of guilt, only to end up being haunted by it in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. This reference underscores the futility of trying to erase the consequences of one's actions, especially when they are as grave as the destruction of the environment.
Furthermore, the song discusses the subject of freedom and the pain that people go through to attain it. The line "How long till you unlock the cage? How long till their free from their pain?" implies that there is something that has been imprisoning people and causing them suffering. However, it is not specified what that is, leaving the interpretation open to the listener. The final lines, "And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, Nothing seems to matter even sorrow," encapsulate the idea that despite the present adversities, there is hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
How long till the river runs blue?
When will we stop polluting the environment and start taking care of our planet?
How long till we're sorry?
When will we realize and acknowledge the harm we've caused to others and the world?
How long can the blood stain my hands?
How much guilt can one person carry for their past mistakes and wrongdoings?
Scrubbing with my might like Lady M
Putting in great effort to try and remove the stains of past mistakes, like Lady Macbeth frantically trying to wash away her guilt.
And I'm singing Out damn spot and I'm singing Out damn spot
Repeating Lady Macbeth's iconic phrase to symbolize an internal struggle to cleanse oneself of guilt and regret.
And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow Nothing seems to matter even sorrow
Focusing on the endless cycle of time and how life can seem insignificant and meaningless, even during periods of sadness.
How long till you unlock the cage?
When will society work towards ending systems of oppression and freeing those who have been marginalized or oppressed?
How long till their free from their pain?
When will those who have been hurt and traumatized be able to find healing and relief from their suffering?
How long can the blood stain the hands Of greedy men with greedy thoughts in their head?
Questioning the consequences of greed and selfishness, and how it can lead to harm and suffering for others.
Oh tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow Nothing seems to matter even sorrow
Emphasizing the feeling of hopelessness and despair that can come with the passing of time, and how even sadness can feel insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Oh tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Continuing the theme of time passing by and the inevitability of the future.
Nothing seems to matter even sorrow
Further emphasizing the idea that even difficult emotions can feel trivial in the grand scheme of things, and how time passing can diminish the significance of those feelings.
Writer(s): Andrea Kristine Von Kampen
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.