U & I
Cynthia Alexander Lyrics

The lyrics of Cynthia Alexander's song U & I are poetically layered and evocative. In the first verse, the singer creates a sensory landscape of an island where the subject of the song has "lost [their] shape." The imagery of the "shadow of leaves fallen" and "a bed of limbs in stalemate" creates a sense of stillness and stagnation. The "crash of muted waves in diminishing dimension" implies a feeling of distance or separation between the singer and the subject. However, the second half of the verse introduces a new element - a dream where the two are still connected. The "song on an old phonograph" and the "moving photograph" of U and I suggest a nostalgic, romantic connection that endures through time.

The second verse expands on this theme, emphasizing the enduring nature of the relationship between the singer and the subject. The "color in between us" links them to the sky, evoking a sense of vastness and possibility. The repetition of "Begin on & on & on" further emphasizes the idea of ongoing, eternal connection. The singer emphasizes that she knows this connection is real: "I only know/U are for real." The dream of the first verse serves as a metaphor for the power of memory and love to transcend physical distance and temporal boundaries.

Overall, U & I is a song about the power of memory and connection to endure beyond physical and temporal boundaries. The dream of the lovers provides a powerful metaphor for this theme, suggesting that even when separated by space and time, the power of memory and love can keep us connected.