When You Were Mine
Church Lyrics


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On a day like this, a hundred lifetimes ago
You on a shore, across the point
I looked through my hands and you drew me a line
When you were mine

On a world like this, a hundred turns left to go
Deep in a room, which I've never seen
Outside it's so cold but I'm waiting for time
When you were mine

Plenty of islands between now and then
Rocks break the boats of the painted face men
And they drown, and they're born
And they live once again
And this all happens
When you were mine

In a storm like this, a hundred kisses of snow
You with another so easily sleep




What's real and what's dreamt become close and entwine
When you were mine

Overall Meaning

In Church's song "When You Were Mine," the lyrics describe a sense of longing and nostalgia for a past love. The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the song, "On a day like this, a hundred lifetimes ago," conveying the idea that the love was so long ago and yet it is still vivid in the singer's mind. The imagery of being on opposite shores while drawing a line between them creates a sense of connection despite physical distance. However, as the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the relationship has ended and the singer is left to reflect on what once was. The reference to deep in a room that he's never seen adds to the feeling of separation and confusion. The lyrics culminate with a bleak image of a storm and a lover with someone else, causing reality and dreams to blur together "What's real and what's dreamt become close and entwine when you were mine."


Line by Line Meaning

On a day like this, a hundred lifetimes ago
Remembering a distant memory from long ago


You on a shore, across the point
Visualizing an image of someone across a distance


I looked through my hands and you drew me a line
Recalling a moment of connection and guidance from that person


When you were mine
Reflecting on the past when that person belonged to the artist


On a world like this, a hundred turns left to go
Feeling unsure about the future and what it holds


Deep in a room, which I've never seen
Feeling trapped or isolated in an unfamiliar place


Outside it's so cold but I'm waiting for time
Enduring a difficult moment while hoping for something better in the future


When you were mine
Remembering the comfort and security of the past when that person was in the artist's life


Plenty of islands between now and then
Realizing the vast distance and time that has passed since the past memory


Rocks break the boats of the painted face men
Facing obstacles and challenges that can cause harm or destruction


And they drown, and they're born
Experiencing the cycle of life and death


And they live once again
Finding hope in the idea of new beginnings and rebirth


And this all happens
Acknowledging the inevitable and unpredictable nature of life


When you were mine
Reflecting on the past when that person was present and offering comfort


In a storm like this, a hundred kisses of snow
Going through a tumultuous time or emotional turmoil


You with another so easily sleep
Feeling hurt or betrayed by someone moving on quickly


What's real and what's dreamt become close and entwine
Blurring the line between reality and fantasy or memory


When you were mine
Reflecting on the past when that person offered comfort and clarity




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KILBEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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