Epilogue
C. Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now that life is gone
I'm face to face into the light
And I guess I'm moving on
Just an ordinary life
An ordinary soul
I'll miss the mornings with my wife
The nights we spent alone
In our perfect little home
Just an ordinary wife
I will miss her growing old
Thank you for the flowers
They were just the perfect touch
And I'm sorry for the phone calls
Have they hurt you very much
Keep an eye out on my mother
This is sure to take it's toll
I've had religion come and go
But kept it in my heart
And if that heart was beating slow
Well, at least it played a part
Just an ordinary heart
Didn't have the fight
And I've tried to practice what I
preach
But only preach a bit
And if that light is out of reach
Well, I guess I'll handle it
Just an ordinary light
We never kissed good-bye
Could I ask you for a favor?
Even though it's not our way
Sing a Psalm or light a candle.
Say a prayer for me today
Just in case I wasn't chosen
And the Catholics were right
I've kept religion in its place
So hard and resolute
I see you found the perfect space
And you found my favorite suit
Just an ordinary place
Can I watch you breathe?
All those notches on my belt
Those diets on display
I took a pill or two, myself
And I'm here now anyway
Just an ordinary day
Do you have to leave?
Keep it singular and simple
With nothing underneath
And let my epitaph be something
That my children will receive
Here lies a man who will believe
When it's convenient to believe
In these lyrics, C. Armstrong reflects on his life, his relationship with religion, and his impending death. He begins by stating that he has had religion throughout his entire life, but now that life is gone, he is facing the light and moving on. It implies that he has passed away and is transitioning into the afterlife.
He reflects on his ordinary life, describing his marriage and the moments he will miss with his wife, both the beautiful and imperfect ones. He expresses gratitude for the flowers he has received and apologizes for any pain his phone calls may have caused. He also asks for someone to watch over his mother, knowing that his passing will affect her greatly.
Armstrong then delves into his personal struggle with religion. He acknowledges that it has come and gone in his life but remained in his heart. He mentions his ordinary heart and how it didn't have the fight, indicating perhaps a lack of zeal or fervor in his faith. He admits to trying to practice what he preaches but only to a certain extent. Despite any doubts or limitations, he is willing to handle the absence of light, which could symbolize a sense of clarity or salvation.
Moving forward, he ponders the lack of closure in his relationship with someone, potentially his wife or a loved one, as they never kissed goodbye. He asks for a favor, even though it goes against their ways, to sing a Psalm or light a candle and say a prayer for him, just in case he wasn't chosen by God and the Catholics were right. This suggests his uncertainty about the afterlife and his desire for some form of salvation. Throughout his life, he has kept religion in its place, remaining steadfast and determined.
Armstrong then shifts focus to his physical appearance, mentioning the notches on his belt and diets on display, implying his attempts to maintain his physical health. He acknowledges taking pills himself, possibly for medical or emotional reasons, and emphasizes that despite everything, he is still here. This could be interpreted as him acknowledging that his efforts to maintain his health ultimately did not stave off death.
In the final moments, he requests that his epitaph, the message left on his tombstone, be something that his children will receive and understand. It reflects his longing for his children to inherit his belief system, to believe when it is convenient to believe. This last line suggests a certain cynicism or skepticism towards religion, as Armstrong implies that belief is not a constant but varies with convenience.
Overall, these lyrics explore C. Armstrong's relationship with religion, his reflections on his life, and his contemplations about the afterlife. They touch on themes of love, loss, doubt, and the search for meaning amidst mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had religion all my life
I have followed a religious faith throughout my entire life
And now that life is gone
Now that I have passed away
I'm face to face into the light
I am now in the presence of a higher power or afterlife
And I guess I'm moving on
And now I am transitioning into the next phase or realm
Just an ordinary life
My life was unremarkable or average
An ordinary soul
I had a regular or normal inner being
I'll miss the mornings with my wife
I will fondly remember the time spent with my wife in the mornings
The nights we spent alone
The intimate moments we shared together in solitude
All those perfect little fights
The arguments or disagreements we had that brought us closer
In our perfect little home
In our cozy and ideal dwelling
Just an ordinary wife
My wife was an ordinary, but cherished, partner
I will miss her growing old
I will regret not being there to witness her aging and maturing
Thank you for the flowers
I appreciate the gesture of sending flowers
They were just the perfect touch
They were a thoughtful and fitting addition
And I'm sorry for the phone calls
I apologize for any distress my phone calls may have caused
Have they hurt you very much
Did they cause you significant pain?
Keep an eye out on my mother
Please watch over and take care of my mother
This is sure to take its toll
This situation will likely have a negative impact
I've had religion come and go
I have experienced periods where my religious beliefs fluctuated
But kept it in my heart
However, I always held onto it deep within me
And if that heart was beating slow
Even if my heart was weak or faltering
Well, at least it played a part
It still contributed to my overall journey
Just an ordinary heart
My heart was unremarkable, but important to me
Didn't have the fight
It didn't possess the strength or resilience
And I've tried to practice what I preach
I made an effort to live by my own teachings
But only preach a bit
Yet, I only preached or spoke about it to a limited extent
And if that light is out of reach
And if attaining that enlightenment or salvation seems impossible
Well, I guess I'll handle it
Well, I suppose I will find a way to deal with it
Just an ordinary light
A light that was unremarkable, but significant somehow
We never kissed goodbye
We never had a chance to say a final farewell with a kiss
Can I ask you for a favor?
May I request something from you?
Even though it's not our way
Even though it is not customary for us
Sing a Psalm or light a candle
Perform a religious act such as singing a religious song or lighting a candle
Say a prayer for me today
Please offer a prayer on my behalf today
Just in case I wasn't chosen
In case I am not deemed worthy or selected
And the Catholics were right
And if the beliefs of the Catholic faith happened to be correct
I've kept religion in its place
I have maintained a balanced and appropriate relationship with my faith
So hard and resolute
Firmly and unwaveringly
I see you found the perfect space
I observe that you have discovered the ideal spot
And you found my favorite suit
And you uncovered my preferred attire
Just an ordinary place
A location that was unremarkable, but holds meaning to me
Can I watch you breathe?
May I quietly observe you breathing?
All those notches on my belt
All the achievements or conquests I have accumulated
Those diets on display
Those attempts to restrict or control my eating habits showcased to others
I took a pill or two, myself
I indulged in a few pills for my own gratification
And I'm here now anyway
And yet, here I am, regardless of my past actions
Just an ordinary day
A day that was unremarkable, but had significance to me
Do you have to leave?
Must you depart?
Keep it singular and simple
Keep it uncomplicated and straightforward
With nothing underneath
Without any hidden or ulterior motives
And let my epitaph be something
And may the inscription on my gravestone be
That my children will receive
That my children will accept and understand
Here lies a man who will believe
Here lies a man who held onto his faith
When it's convenient to believe
But only when it was convenient or suited his needs
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Andrew Ratshin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cloudydaez
When it builds to a crescendo I see that final scene with everyone coming together at the airport. It doesnโt matter what nationality we are or wherever we live on this planet, we are all the same, we love, we miss, we long for each other. So heart warming โค๏ธ
Sid Pheasant
It's God, in a movie that received divine inspiration in line with its mission to help a shocked and traumatised world get over the evil of September 11th (as Hugh Grant's inroduction in the film make clear). The Heathrow Aiport scene plays out to "God only knows". He certainly does...
EZRA
Honestly my favorite christmas/romantic comedy movie
Susan Leatherbarrow
Mine too. We watch it every Christmas. Came out 2003; same year my son was born. Went to the cinema on December 6th , in hospital next day !!! Best thing Richard Curtis every did but l accept it's not to everyone's taste!!!
Trevor Joel
@Jordy Harlem instablaster =)
Jordy Harlem
you all probably dont care at all but does anyone know a tool to get back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot my password. I love any help you can give me.
Yuna Haga
This is Soooooo good!!!!
I'm crying!!
Philippa Pay
The score really did add beautifully to an already magnificent movie that gave us all hope.
cloudydaez
It certainly did. A beautiful piece of music the Portuguese Love Theme brilliant ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ
Anthony Matz
Watch it every Christmas.