If you have songs tagged with "Spring Awakening" as artist change it to this artist as they are the composer and lyricist for that musical.
Left Behind
Duncan Sheik & Steven Sater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You fold his hands and smooth his tie, you gently lift his chin
Were you really so blind and unkind to him?
Can't help the itch to touch, to kiss, to hold him once again
Now to close his eyes, never open them
A shadow passed, a shadow passed
Yearning, yearning for the fool it called a home
All the things his Mama wished he'd bear in mind
And all his Dad had hoped he'd know
The talks you never had, the Saturdays you never spent
All the grown-up places you never went
And all of the crying you wouldn't understand
You just let him cry, "make a man out of him"
A shadow passed, a shadow passed
Yearning, yearning for the fool it called a home
All things he ever wished are left behind
All the things his Mama did to make him mind
And how his Dad had hoped he'd grow
All things he ever lived are left behind
All the fears that ever flickered through his mind
All the sadness that he'd come to own
A shadow passed, a shadow passed
Yearning, yearning for the fool it called a home
And it whistles through the ghosts still left behind
It whistles through the ghosts still left behind
It whistles through the ghosts still left behind
Oh, oh
The song "Left Behind" is a poignant and melancholic piece that speaks to the pain of losing someone you love and the regrets that come with it. The main character, Melchior, is overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow as he prepares the body of his friend for burial. He wonders if he was too harsh on him and didn't show enough care and compassion during his life. He longs to hold him again and make things right, but it's too late now that he's gone. He remembers all the missed opportunities and conversations he could have had with his friend, and all the pain and sadness he didn't understand beforehand.
The chorus repeats the phrase "A shadow passed, a shadow passed / Yearning, yearning for the fool it called a home," which suggests that death is like a fleeting shadow that comes and goes, leaving only a yearning for what could have been. The "fool it called a home" is a way of referring to the deceased as someone who was foolish or naive, but also someone who had a home and a place to belong. The rest of the lyrics describe all the things that the deceased will never experience or accomplish, such as growing up, living out his dreams, or finding true happiness. The ghosts that are "left behind" represent the memories and the pain that the living must carry with them, always wondering what could have been different.
Overall, "Left Behind" is a powerful song that captures the feelings of loss, grief, and regret that come with death. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that we should cherish the time we have with those we love. It also encourages us to forgive and show compassion before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
You fold his hands and smooth his tie, you gently lift his chin
You went through the motions of preparing him for his final resting place.
Were you really so blind and unkind to him?
Are you now seeing for the first time your failure to treat him well?
Can't help the itch to touch, to kiss, to hold him once again
You have an overwhelming desire to be close to him again.
Now to close his eyes, never open them
This is your last chance to say goodbye and accept that he is gone forever.
A shadow passed, a shadow passed
The fleeting nature of life is emphasized by this phrase.
Yearning, yearning for the fool it called a home
There is a longing for the familiarity of the past, even if it wasn't perfect.
All things he never did are left behind
All the potential he had to accomplish things in life is gone.
All the things his Mama wished he'd bear in mind
He missed out on the advice and guidance his mother wanted to provide him.
And all his Dad had hoped he'd know
There were so many things his father wanted to teach him, but never got the chance.
The talks you never had, the Saturdays you never spent
The missed opportunities and experiences that can never be regained.
All the grown-up places you never went
He will never get to experience the places he dreamed of visiting as an adult.
And all of the crying you wouldn't understand
He experienced pain and sadness that he couldn't share with you because you wouldn't understand.
You just let him cry, "make a man out of him"
You taught him to suppress his emotions instead of helping him process and deal with them.
All things he ever wished are left behind
He will never see his dreams come true or experience the things he longed for.
All the things his Mama did to make him mind
He missed out on the love and discipline his mother gave him in an effort to shape him into a good person.
And how his Dad had hoped he'd grow
His father had so many wishes and expectations for his son's growth and development.
All things he ever lived are left behind
All of his experiences and memories are gone forever.
All the fears that ever flickered through his mind
His anxiety and worries were never resolved or overcome, and remain forever unexplored.
All the sadness that he'd come to own
He carried a weight of sadness and pain that he never got to release or find relief from.
And it whistles through the ghosts still left behind
The memories and regrets continue to linger after he is gone.
Oh, oh
A mournful sound that represents the sadness and finality of his passing.
Contributed by Gabriel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.