A Keeper For Every Flame
Carpenter Mary Chapin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The mention of his name didn't make her feel again
That everything is possible and every day a brand new start
Yeah, love's something powerful when it finds a willing heart
Sometimes it's a fire burning out of control
Sometimes it's a candle burning long and low
All these years she never let it go
There's a keeper for every flame
Each day's like the last, he just misses what he can't forget
It's just an empty space where something used to be
Now he guards the gate, but he's lost the key
So no one enters, but no one leaves
There's a keeper for every flame
Thought my heart had broken, but it was just a little bruised
I thought love had spoken, I guess I was just confused
Sometimes we were a fire burning out of control
Sometimes we were nothing but a candle glow
But it never died, baby, how I know
There's a keeper for every flame
The song A Keeper For Every Flame by Mary Chapin Carpenter is a beautiful ballad that talks about the power of true love that lasts forever. The song tells the story of two people who have experienced the highs and lows of being in love. The first verse of the song talks about a woman who has been waiting for love for so long that she has forgotten how it feels. She speaks of the intense passion that comes with love and how it can make every day feel like a brand new start. She acknowledges how love is a powerful force and can ignite a fire within us that we don't even know is there. The chorus of the song emphasizes that when we find love and commit to it, it can last forever.
The second verse of the song talks about a man who has loved deeply in the past but has not been able to move on from the memory of his lost love. He guards the gate of his heart, hoping to keep others out, but in reality, he has lost the key and cannot let anyone in. The song suggests that love is not something that can be forced or willed away. When we experience true love, it stays with us, even if we try to forget it. The final verse of the song talks about a person who has experienced the pain of a broken heart but has realized that love never truly dies. Even when it feels like the fire has gone out, there is still a spark that can be rekindled.
Overall, the song is a testament to the power of love and the belief that there is someone out there for everyone. It speaks to the idea that love is a flame that can burn bright or flicker low, but it will always be there as long as we keep it close to our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
She says it's been so long, she can't remember when
It's been a while since she hasn't felt strong emotions when she hears his name.
The mention of his name didn't make her feel again
Hearing his name used to stir up feelings inside her that had been dormant for a long time.
That everything is possible and every day a brand new start
She believes that with love, anything is possible and every day brings with it new opportunities to start fresh.
Yeah, love's something powerful when it finds a willing heart
Love can be an immensely powerful force when it is met by a heart that is open to it.
Sometimes it's a fire burning out of control
Love can be intense and passionate, like a fire that rages out of control.
Sometimes it's a candle burning long and low
Love can also be quiet and steady, like a candle that burns consistently over time.
All these years she never let it go
Despite the passage of time, she has held on to her love for this person.
There's a keeper for every flame
For every love that exists, there is someone who will hold onto it and cherish it indefinitely.
There is someone in his past that he hasn't gotten over yet
There is someone from his past who he still hasn't been able to forget about.
Each day's like the last, he just misses what he can't forget
Every day feels the same to him because he is constantly reminded of what he has lost and cannot forget.
It's just an empty space where something used to be
The space that this person used to occupy in his life is now vacant and unfulfilled.
Now he guards the gate, but he's lost the key
He is trying to protect himself from being hurt again, but he no longer has access to the key that would allow him to let someone else in.
So no one enters, but no one leaves
Because he is closed off to others, nobody can enter his life, but the people who were once there cannot fully leave either.
Thought my heart had broken, but it was just a little bruised
She once believed that her heart had been shattered, but in reality it was only slightly damaged.
I thought love had spoken, I guess I was just confused
She thought she had found true love, but in reality she was mistaken and confused about what she really wanted.
Sometimes we were a fire burning out of control
Their love could be explosive and intense, like a fire that is difficult to contain.
Sometimes we were nothing but a candle glow
Their love could also be lowkey and subtle, like the quiet glow of a candle.
But it never died, baby, how I know
Their love has endured despite its ups and downs, as evidenced by the fact that it is still alive in her heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY CARPENTER, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind