1. Have I Always Loved You?
Copeland Lyrics


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Never mind their talking down the dreamers.
Our world is standing still.
They wake up much too much, but see our castle will be
high above their arrows.
Our glasses flowing still,
I'm remembering you standing in the whitest dress I'd known.
Have I always loved you? Have I always known?
Have I always loved you alone?
Never mind the storm
that keeps us in at night,
the cold rain on the leaves.
The wind is much too much, but you and I are safe here laughing at the table.
Maybe I should look away,
but I only see you standing
in the whitest dress I'd known.




Have I always loved you? Have I always known?
Have I always loved you alone?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Copeland's song 1. Have I Always Loved You? convey a sense of love, protection, and defiance in the face of obstacles. The first stanza seems to dismiss the naysayers who talk down the dreamers, those who dare to aspire to something higher. Despite their warnings, the singer asserts that their world is standing still, undeterred by the words of those who refuse to embrace a dream. The castle they will build, while it may be subjected to arrows, will rise high above them. The glasses are flowing, and the singer remembers their love in the whitest dress they've known. The refrain echoes with questions, which are asked several times throughout the song: "Have I always loved you? Have I always known? Have I always loved you alone?" This suggests that the singer is not entirely sure of their own feelings, but they are deeply committed to this love, whoever it may be.


The second stanza sets a more intimate scene. The couple is sheltering from a storm, huddled inside, safe and dry. The wind is too much outside, but they are laughing and enjoying each other's company at the table. The thought arises that maybe the singer should look away, but they cannot take their eyes off their love, standing once again in the whitest dress. The refrain repeats, emphasizing the confusion of the singer's emotions, but leaving no doubt about their commitment to their love. The song ends on a soft, gentle note, with the line "Have I always loved you?" spelled out more slowly and deliberately than before, as if searching for an answer.


Line by Line Meaning

Never mind their talking down the dreamers.
Ignore those who discourage dreamers.


Our world is standing still.
Our world seems motionless.


They wake up much too much, but see our castle will be high above their arrows.
They are overly alert, but our castle will be out of their reach.


Our glasses flowing still, I'm remembering you standing in the whitest dress I'd known.
Our drinks are still refreshing, and I'm recalling you in the purest white dress I've seen.


Have I always loved you? Have I always known? Have I always loved you alone?
Have I always had feelings of love for you? Have I always been aware of those feelings? Have those feelings been exclusive to you?


Never mind the storm that keeps us in at night, the cold rain on the leaves.
Ignore the storm that confines us to indoors at night, and the chill caused by the rain on the foliage.


The wind is much too much, but you and I are safe here laughing at the table.
The wind is too strong, but we are protected while sitting at a table, laughing.


Maybe I should look away, but I only see you standing in the whitest dress I'd known.
Perhaps I should avert my gaze, but I can't help but see you wearing the purest white dress I've seen.




Contributed by Henry B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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