She is known for her sense of humor, which is expressed in both her music and her onstage performances. Many of her songs alternate between emotional reflections on romance and outright comedy. Two of her more famous songs include "Sensitive New Age Guys" and "Bald Headed Men".
Happy Divorce Day
Christine Lavin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for this woman and this man
they look each other in the eye
and take each other's hand
they once promised love forever
now they're here to take it back
they don't hate each other
but they need to cut each other slack
They'd give back the wedding gifts
except they've all been used
please forgive them if they both seem
dazed and confused
they had no idea on the day
they made their wedding vow
that love could lead them to
where they're standing now
And they are sorry for the angry words
they didn't really mean
in the heat of battle
they just let off too much steam
they apologize for everything
that ever brought on tears
and they hope that when they look back
they won't regret these years
Their plans for the future
just blew up in their face
the pieces drifted aimlessly
landed all over the place
no way that they can pick them up
and start over again
so they dust themselves off, shake hands
and walk away as friends
So let's raise a glass
but let's not raise our voice
be glad we have the wisdom
be glad we have the choice
to admit our failures
then move on
no use to keep trying
when you know the love is gone
And perhaps in the future
when we think back to this day
we'll smile and be grateful
that things worked out this way
though it's with sadness we arrived here
we leave with lighter hearts
knowing some of us are better off
when we are apart
The lyrics of Christine Lavin's song Happy Divorce Day describe a couple who have come together to peacefully dissolve their marriage. The song highlights the fact that the couple is not angry or bitter with each other, but rather they have maturely come to the realization that they no longer can make their relationship work. They promise to be amicable in the presence of each other and to cut each other some slack. They apologize for any harsh words they may have spoken during the course of their marriage and express hope that they won't regret the time they spent together.
The song also touches on the fact that after a marriage ends, the future plans that the couple had made together have now fallen apart. However, they agree to move on and leave each other as friends. They raise a glass to celebrate their newfound freedom and acknowledge that they are better off being apart. The song emphasizes that it takes a lot of wisdom and courage to accept failure, admit one's mistakes, and move on.
Overall, the song portrays the end of a marriage as a positive experience where two people accept the fact that they are not meant to be together and lay the groundwork for a future where they can move on with their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
We are gathered here together
We are here to witness the divorce of this man and this woman.
for this woman and this man
The couple who are tying the knot to heartbreakingly break it apart.
they look each other in the eye
They have good, mutual term parting ways.
and take each other's hand
They kindly part ways of their relationship.
they once promised love forever
They made promises to each other, which break down over the years.
now they're here to take it back
Their love has left them, so they have come to undo their promise.
they don't hate each other
The couple harbours no malice between themselves.
but they need to cut each other slack
They need to give each other some leniency while passing the time of their parting.
They'd give back the wedding gifts
They would return their wedding gifts if they could.
except they've all been used
They have already used their wedding gifts and can no longer give them back.
please forgive them if they both seem
Both of them are not thinking straight due to their emotional turmoil.
dazed and confused
Both are lost and puzzled about their future.
they had no idea on the day
On the day of the wedding, they were unaware that one day they would have to divorce.
they made their wedding vow
When they pledged their commitment to each other.
that love could lead them to
They never imagined their love would collapse.
where they're standing now
They are getting divorced now.
And they are sorry for the angry words
They regret saying things to each other in the fight, which they didn't mean.
they didn't really mean
They spoke harsh words due to the heat of the moment.
in the heat of battle
During a fight.
they just let off too much steam
They released too much pent-up frustration and anger.
they apologize for everything
They regret everything that led to arguments.
that ever brought on tears
They feel sorry for every time they made each other cry.
and they hope that when they look back
They desire not to regret their decision to divorce.
they won't regret these years
They hope they will be happy and satisfied later in life that they parted ways.
Their plans for the future
The plans they made for the future together.
just blew up in their face
Their plans failed drastically.
the pieces drifted aimlessly
All their dreams dispersed without direction.
landed all over the place
Their goals scattered once the relationship ceased to exist.
no way that they can pick them up
It is impossible for them to mend the problems and continue their relationship.
and start over again
They cannot revive their relationship anew.
so they dust themselves off, shake hands
They prepare to start their separate lives after letting bygones be bygones.
and walk away as friends
They depart affectionately, holding no grudges against each other.
So let's raise a glass
Let's drink and make a toast to a new beginning.
but let's not raise our voice
Let's celebrate our conversation and not argue.
be glad we have the wisdom
Be thankful that we have intelligence to decide what's best for us.
be glad we have the choice
Be grateful that we get to choose how we live our lives.
to admit our failures
To confess our mistakes in our decisions.
then move on
Let the past be the past and not dwell on it.
no use to keep trying
Trying again will not strengthen our relationship.
when you know the love is gone
It is time to part ways when the love does not exist anymore.
And perhaps in the future
Maybe someday in the future.
when we think back to this day
When we reflect on this day today in the future.
we'll smile and be grateful
We will reminisce and be happy and content with the outcome.
that things worked out this way
That parting ways was the best decision for us.
though it's with sadness we arrived here
It's sad that we reached this point in our relationship.
we leave with lighter hearts
We make our exit feeling relieved and at ease.
knowing some of us are better off
Being apart is a better alternative.
when we are apart
There are times when we need to distance ourselves to grow.
Contributed by Alexis N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.