At The Heart of Me
Chely Wright Lyrics


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I could fly away
Leave for good today
To a new world somewhere far beyond
Or you could set sail
For the sun's fading trail
And I could watch you till you're gone

But it wouldn't matter now
No it couldn't change what I see
If a thousand miles lay between us today
You're still at the heart of me

If your face can't be
Ever here before me
I can always hold you in my mind
And live in the past
Your ghost gave up at last
More real now than passing time

But it wouldn't matter now
It couldn't change what I see
If a thousand miles lay between us today
You're still at the heart of me

Time's been a shroud
And it's left me confused
Surrendered to pain in the name of a truth
That sang in my ear all that I stood to lose
Come what may

Our faith is a well
And down deep I can tell
I'm as thirsty as a mortal can be
Silence abounds
And it's ringing through town
Like a bell swinging high over me

And it wouldn't matter now
No it couldn't change what I see
If a thousand miles lay between us today
You're still at the heart of me





If a thousand miles lay between us today
You're still at the heart of me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chely Wright's song "At The Heart of Me" are filled with powerful imagery and emotions. The song talks about the struggles of love and long-distance relationships. The first stanza talks about the possibility of leaving and starting anew in a different place, but in the end, it won't change what they see. This suggests that distance may physically separate them, but their connection and feelings for each other will remain strong. The second stanza mentions the idea of holding onto memories and living in the past, where the ghost of their partner's presence is stronger than time. This highlights the power of memory and how it can help people hold onto those they love even when they are absent.


The third stanza talks about the impact of time and how it has left the singer feeling confused and in pain. Their faith is a well that is not filled, and silence is all around them, which can represent the absence of their loved one. The final stanza reiterates how distance cannot break the bond between them, as the person they love will always be in the heart of the singer, despite the physical distance between them.


Overall, the song is a beautiful and heartfelt portrayal of the struggles that come with long-distance relationships, but also the strength and resilience that comes with love.


Line by Line Meaning

I could fly away
I am contemplating leaving everything behind to start anew.


Leave for good today
I am considering leaving permanently.


To a new world somewhere far beyond
I want to escape my current situation completely.


Or you could set sail
There is another person involved who could also leave.


For the sun’s fading trail
This person could choose to pursue something that is coming to an end.


And I could watch you till you’re gone
I would observe this other person leave.


But it wouldn’t matter now
Regardless of what happens, something else remains constant.


No it couldn’t change what I see
Nothing could alter my perception of the situation.


If a thousand miles lay between us today
Even if a great distance separated us, something still holds true.


You’re still at the heart of me
This other person continues to be deeply important to me.


If your face can’t be
I may not be able to physically see this person.


Ever here before me
But I can picture them in my mind's eye.


I can always hold you in my mind
My memory of this person remains strong.


And live in the past
I may focus on previous experiences with this person.


Your ghost gave up at last
My recollection of this person has become more real than the person themselves.


More real now than passing time
The past has come to feel more tangible than the present.


Time’s been a shroud
Time has had a clouding effect on my thoughts and emotions.


And it’s left me confused
I feel uncertain and unsure about what to do next.


Surrendered to pain in the name of a truth
I have given into a painful reality that I cannot avoid.


That sang in my ear all that I stood to lose
I was warned of the potential consequences of my actions.


Come what may
Regardless of what happens, I must carry on.


Our faith is a well
Faith is a deeply rooted part of our relationship.


And down deep I can tell
I am aware on a gut level of the importance of this faith.


I’m as thirsty as a mortal can be
I am desperate for the emotional sustenance that faith brings.


Silence abounds
There is a pervasive quietness that surrounds me.


And it’s ringing through town
This silence feels all-encompassing and never-ending.


Like a bell swinging high over me
It is a deafening absence that echoes throughout my life.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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