The Lonely Life
City and Colour Lyrics


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What if I did not love you?
Where would that leave me
Would I wonder through the avenues
Under a pall of misery

Would I be face down in the gutter
With cheap whiskey on my breath
The lonely life of a writer
Whose words could not pay his debts

Singin' please don't, please don't pass me by
I am alive, oh can't you see?
That I've been blinded completely
Please don't, please don't pass me by
I am alive, oh can't you see?
That I am pleading for your mercy

What if we became strangers?
Would you notice my face in a crowd?
And could you hear the sorrow in my voice?
Helplessly crying your name out loud

Would I be searching for a savior?
Burned and burning with regret
The lonely life of a writer
Only if one last desperate request

Singin' please don't, please don't pass me by
I am alive, oh can't you see?
That I've been blinded completely
Please don't, please don't pass me by
I am alive, oh can't you see?
That I am pleading for your mercy

I've been on the lam
Being hunted, somethin' fierce
They say time and tide, it waits for no man
But I was just hopin'
These storm filled skies would clear

Please don't, please don't pass me by
(Please don't, please don't pass me by)
Please don't, please don't pass me by
(Please don't, please don't pass me by)
Please don't, please don't pass me by




I am alive, oh can't you see?
That I am pleading for your mercy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song The Lonely Life by City and Colour are a reflection of the fear of being alone, abandoned and forgotten. The song talks about the vulnerabilities and uncertainties associated with love, and the haunting feeling of not being wanted. The singer wonders about the consequences of not being loved and being left alone, imagining himself lost on the streets, homeless and heartbroken, praying for mercy. He also envisions a future where he is estranged from his lover, fading into obscurity as a faceless stranger in a crowd, yearning for a second chance. The lyrics are an emotional commentary on the pain and desperation of unreciprocated love and the hopelessness that follows a breakup, seeking relief from the isolation and suffering.


The lyrics are rich in metaphors and imagery, evoking powerful emotions and themes such as betrayal, regret, and self-pity. The words 'lonely life of a writer' suggest a person left alone with his thoughts and pen, pouring his heart out but unable to escape the pain. The use of 'searching for a savior,' 'storm-filled skies,' and 'hunted, something fierce' amplify the sense of despair and fear that accentuates the mood of the song. The refrain of 'please don't, please don't pass me by' highlights the desperation and appeals to the need for human connection and companionship.


Line by Line Meaning

What if I did not love you?
If I did not love you, I wonder where I would be.


Where would that leave me
I would be lost and uncertain without your love.


Would I wonder through the avenues
Would I wander aimlessly through the streets?


Under a pall of misery
Feeling sad and gloomy, with no hope in sight.


Would I be face down in the gutter
Would I be lying in the street, drunk and hopeless?


With cheap whiskey on my breath
Drinking cheap whiskey until I can't think anymore.


The lonely life of a writer
Living a lonely life as a struggling writer.


Whose words could not pay his debts
Not being able to make a living off of my writing.


Singin' please don't, please don't pass me by
Begging for someone to pay attention to me.


I am alive, oh can't you see?
I am still here, trying to be noticed.


That I've been blinded completely
Feeling lost and alone to the point of being unable to see a way out.


Please don't, please don't pass me by
Please don't ignore me in my time of need.


I am alive, oh can't you see?
I am still here, even if I feel invisible.


That I am pleading for your mercy
I am begging for someone to show me compassion and help me.


What if we became strangers?
If we were no longer close, what would happen?


Would you notice my face in a crowd?
Would you be able to recognize me among many people?


And could you hear the sorrow in my voice?
Would you be able to hear the sadness in my words?


Helplessly crying your name out loud
Feeling helpless and alone, calling out to you.


Would I be searching for a savior?
Would I be trying to find someone to save me?


Burned and burning with regret
Feeling consumed by regret and guilt.


Only if one last desperate request
My only hope is if I make one final plea for help.


I've been on the lam
I've been running away from something.


Being hunted, somethin' fierce
I am being pursued relentlessly.


They say time and tide, it waits for no man
Time moves forward no matter what we do.


But I was just hopin'
I was hoping for things to turn around.


These storm filled skies would clear
Things would get better if these difficulties in my life go away.


Please don't, please don't pass me by
I am still here, pleading for someone to take notice of me.


(Please don't, please don't pass me by)
Please don't ignore me.


I am alive, oh can't you see?
I am still here, despite feeling like I'm not being seen.


That I am pleading for your mercy
I am begging for someone to show me kindness and help me.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dallas Green

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@cityandcolour

Get the new album "The Love Still Held Me Near" at cityandcolour.com ✌

@MarianaSouza-ib7ji

PLEASEEEE COME TO BRAZILLLL

@sean92able

This is music at it's finest. What a Masterpiece.

@grillscheese1805

Amen bro!

@ozarksliving1927

Absolutely

@sloshhead2

Songs like this make life worth living...in this lonely world

@GianniEndo

I totally  agree. It makes you wonder...In a world full of 4.8 people how could one feel so alone

@Biogenesys

Salvatore Anzalone And I was under the impression the population was alot higher than that...

@GianniEndo

Derek Lahti Whoops...My mistake, i dont reside here on earth, im just visiting.

@ZairaSimon1

+Slytherin Parker Music makes you less lonely. Until you enjoy solitude.

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