I Keep a Diary
Braid Lyrics
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Rock springs Wyoming hotel
As far as I can tell
I just don't miss you anymore
Yawn and the tears tear
Streams down the sink
You know what I think?
I can never yawn again
Come on so long move on
One two and three
I can see exactly
Just where you ruined me
Nineteen I said I hated you
But kissed you on twenty-two
And music together
I meant it for a moment
Twenty-two and through and through
Come on so long move on
I'll keep you here
Right next to me
And I promise to wait
If you say you're still coming
In Braid's song I Keep a Diary, the lyrics take us on a journey of past heartbreak and moving on. The first verse speaks of a specific date and location, "Ten ten ninety seven, Rock Springs Wyoming hotel." The singer asserts that they "just don't miss you anymore." The following line, "Yawn and the tears tear, streams down the sink," is a beautiful metaphor that describes how the tears come naturally as the singer yawns, signifying that they've been crying so much for so long, that it's second nature to them. The singer then concedes, "I can never yawn again." They're accepting their responsibility of moving on, finally. The chorus of the song, "Come on so long move on," insists that even though moving on might not be easy, it's the best thing to do.
The second verse of the song is written with more specificity, "One, two, and three, I can see exactly, just where you ruined me." The singer is taking the opportunity to reflect on where it all went wrong. The reference to what appears to be specific dates, "Nineteen I said I hated you, but kissed you on twenty-two," gives the listener insight into the singer's tumultuous past. They seem to have a hazy memory of their relationship, "And music together, I meant it for a moment, twenty-two and through and through," hinting that now the past's turbulence has dissipated. Finally, the bridge offers a glimmer of hope, "I'll keep you here, right next to me, and I promise to wait if you say you're still coming."
Line by Line Meaning
Ten ten ninety seven
Referring to a specific date, likely significant to the singer
Rock springs Wyoming hotel
Location of a specific memory or experience
As far as I can tell
The singer is uncertain, but confident in their feelings
I just don't miss you anymore
A declaration of moving on from someone
Yawn and the tears tear
Physical symptoms of emotional pain
Streams down the sink
Symbolic of letting go and washing away pain
You know what I think?
A rhetorical question implying that the answer is obvious
I can never yawn again
The artist associates yawning with a painful memory and cannot do it without feeling emotional pain
Come on so long move on
Encouragement to let go of the past and move forward
One two and three
Referencing specific moments in time or memories
I can see exactly
The singer has clarity around their feelings and experiences
Just where you ruined me
The artist associates a certain experience or interaction with being hurt or damaged
Nineteen I said I hated you
Referencing a specific moment in time when the singer expressed negative feelings towards the person being addressed
But kissed you on twenty-two
Contrasting the previous line, the singer also demonstrates affection towards the person being addressed
And music together
Shared experiences with the person being addressed
I meant it for a moment
The artist's feelings did not last
Twenty-two and through and through
Referencing a specific time when the artist's feelings changed completely
I'll keep you here
The person being addressed is still emotionally present in their life
Right next to me
Emphasizing emotional closeness and the singer's attachment to the person being addressed
And I promise to wait
The artist is willing to be patient for the person being addressed
If you say you're still coming
The artist is awaiting the person being addressed and needs them to confirm their arrival
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matt Harkins
Can’t believe this album came out 25 years ago. It still sounds fresh and is just as relevant as it was in ‘98
bat joro
Polyvinyl, you're killing it this year! <3
Todd Michael Johnson
This is how you close an album 👍🏻