Ruins
First Aid Kit Lyrics


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Today, I climb the highest mountain I have ever climbed
And I turn, to look at ruins I had left behind
And you, where were you so far removed from any truth

I lost you, didn't I?
First I think I lost myself

Children, then and forever locked in a memory
Holdin' that mirror searching for some kind of certainty
That you were just the same as everyone but you were wrong

And it hurt you, didn't it?
All you couldn't be

Ruins
Oh oh oh oh oh
Ruins
Oh oh oh oh oh

I tried to hold on to some kind of dignity
Too long I waded through a vast and endless sea
Thinking, I could find the secret there within

But I gave up, didn't I?
It seemed the only way

Ruins, all the things we built assured that they would last
Ending months ticket stubs and written notes and photographs
Where are you and here somewhere I cannot go

I'm sorry, I am
But I don't take it back

And in the night I hear your voice
Sometimes but it quickly passes
In dreams I saw what I had thought
Could be some kind of answer
You try and try and try until you cannot try no more
Captured in our own

Ruins
Oh oh oh oh oh
Ruins
Oh oh oh oh oh
Ruins




Oh oh oh oh oh
Ruins

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of First Aid Kit's song, "Ruins," tell a complex story of loss, regret, and the struggle to find a sense of purpose and meaning after experiencing a significant upheaval. The singer, reflecting on her own journey, climbs the highest mountain she's ever climbed and looks back at the ruins she's left behind. In doing so, she wonders where her partner was during this time, as he seemed so far removed from any truth. The singer then acknowledges that she lost herself before losing her partner.


The second verse describes the singer's attempt to maintain some sense of dignity through her struggles. However, she eventually gives up, realizing that it seemed to be the only way forward. The chorus repeats the word "ruins," describing all the things they built together that were supposed to last but ended up falling apart. The lyricist employs a rhetorical question in the fourth stanza, wondering where her partner is now and admitting that she can't go there. The final lines of the song express remorse for the loss they experienced, but there's no attempt to take it back.


"Ruins" is a powerful portrayal of how challenging it can be to come to terms with the aftermath of a devastating loss. The song's melancholic tone reflects the despair and isolation that often accompany significant transitions, but there's also a sense of acceptance in the lyrics. Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that their relationship is in ruins, but that they'll keep trying to move forward even if it seems impossible.


Line by Line Meaning

Today, I climb the highest mountain I have ever climbed
I am facing a huge obstacle and I am trying to overcome it.


And I turn, to look at ruins I had left behind
I look back at my past and realize that I have caused destruction or damage.


And you, where were you so far removed from any truth
You were not being honest or truthful to me.


I lost you, didn't I?
I feel like I have lost you, and I am trying to come to terms with that.


First I think I lost myself
I feel like I have lost my sense of self and identity.


Children, then and forever locked in a memory
I remember the good times when we were young and carefree, but that is now just a memory.


Holdin' that mirror searching for some kind of certainty
I am trying to find some reassurance or confirmation in myself.


That you were just the same as everyone but you were wrong
I thought you were just like anyone else, but it turns out my assumption was incorrect.


And it hurt you, didn't it?
I realize that I have caused you pain.


All you couldn't be
I see that you were not able to live up to your potential, and I feel regret.


I tried to hold on to some kind of dignity
I tried to maintain some sense of honor or pride.


Too long I waded through a vast and endless sea
I have prolonged my journey and made it difficult by not making a decision.


Thinking, I could find the secret there within
I thought I would find the answer to my problems there, but it turned out to be pointless.


But I gave up, didn't I?
I have come to the realization that there is no reason to continue.


It seemed the only way
I felt like giving up was the only choice I had.


Ruins, all the things we built assured that they would last
Things that we thought were permanent are now destroyed, and it is our fault.


Ending months ticket stubs and written notes and photographs
Reminders of the good times are now gone and forgotten.


Where are you and here somewhere I cannot go
You are in a place that I cannot reach or access.


I'm sorry, I am
I regret what has happened or what I did.


But I don't take it back
I accept responsibility for what has happened and I will not change it.


And in the night I hear your voice
I still think about you and our memories together, especially at night when my thoughts come alive.


Sometimes but it quickly passes
The feeling is fleeting and does not last very long.


In dreams I saw what I had thought
In my dreams, I imagined what I had wished for or desired.


Could be some kind of answer
I thought that it could solve a problem, but it did not.


You try and try and try until you cannot try no more
No matter how hard you try, some things are just impossible.


Captured in our own
We are trapped in our own personal struggles and emotions.


Ruins
The place where everything has fallen apart or been destroyed.


Oh oh oh oh oh
An expression of sadness, pain, or regret.


Ruins
The place where everything has fallen apart or been destroyed.


Oh oh oh oh oh
An expression of sadness, pain, or regret.


Ruins
The place where everything has fallen apart or been destroyed.


Oh oh oh oh oh
An expression of sadness, pain, or regret.


Ruins
The place where everything has fallen apart or been destroyed.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Klara Soderberg, Johanna Soderberg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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