Only Colombe
Gene Clark; Gosdin Brothers Lyrics


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The warm wind will not blow tonight
For the the fog enshrouds
The landing light
As she said she might have heard
A bell tolling
Though a gold ship
Sails her clouds and dreams
Through the crashing seas
She finds it seems
That the shore she's looking for
Is hardly showing
Oh what is this song she's singing
Oh could it be for someone,
Bringing her, her everything
Her paralytic agencies
Twist their tongues into philosophies
As petite Colombe asks only
What she's been stealing
The tapestries that drape her walls
And the heroes she has witnessed fall
While the hallway leaves them
All blank to the ceiling
Oh again this song she's singing
Oh could it be for someone,
Bringing her, her every dream
Beneath the deep and broken wall
The reflecting glass of time it falls
Through the crack she said
She heard the ocean calling
The foghorn cries profanity
At the master of insanity
As she watches ruins, needing me and sobbing
Oh again this song she's singing




Oh could it be for someone,
Bringing her, her everything.

Overall Meaning

The song "Only Colombe" by Gene Clark is a melancholic reflection on a woman named Colombe, who seems to be lost and wandering. The lyrics speak of a foggy night and a bell tolling, suggesting a sense of foreboding and uncertainty. Colombe is described as sailing through crashing seas, searching for a shore that is hardly showing. It seems as though she is searching for something, but cannot quite find it.


As the song progresses, Colombe's paralytic agencies twist their tongues into philosophies, indicating that she may be overthinking or struggling with her own thoughts. She is described as stealing tapestries and witnessing heroes fall, suggesting that perhaps she is seeking some kind of substance or meaning in life. The reflecting glass of time falls through the crack, suggesting that time is slipping away from her.


Line by Line Meaning

The warm wind will not blow tonight
The atmosphere is uncertain and tumultuous, not conducive to relaxation and respite


For the the fog enshrouds
The surroundings are obscured by a heavy veil, suggestive of mystery and ambiguity


The landing light
A navigational aid that seems to be obscured by the fog


As she said she might have heard A bell tolling
The presence of a bell suggests a time of anguish, despair and mourning


Though a gold ship Sails her clouds and dreams
The artist is indulging in daydreaming and wish fulfillment in the midst of chaos and darkness


Through the crashing seas She finds it seems That the shore she's looking for Is hardly showing
Despite her efforts and struggles, the singer is unable to find the kind of solace and relief she desires


Oh what is this song she's singing Oh could it be for someone, Bringing her, her everything
The singer is seeking a connection with someone or something that can provide comfort and support


Her paralytic agencies Twist their tongues into philosophies
The artist is unable to take action because of indecisiveness and intellectualization


As petite Colombe asks only What she's been stealing
The character of Colombe is searching for the root of her own unhappiness


The tapestries that drape her walls And the heroes she has witnessed fall
The character's memories and surroundings hold painful reminders of failure and loss


While the hallway leaves them All blank to the ceiling
The path forward appears empty and bleak


Beneath the deep and broken wall The reflecting glass of time it falls
The pain of the past continues to haunt and influence the present


Through the crack she said She heard the ocean calling
The character is drawn to the unknown and the possibility of escape and rebirth


The foghorn cries profanity At the master of insanity
The atmosphere is hostile and oppressive, with a sense of chaos and futility


As she watches ruins, needing me and sobbing
The singer is isolated and longing for companionship and comfort


Oh again this song she's singing Oh could it be for someone, Bringing her, her everything.
The artist's need for a connection and escape remains unfulfilled




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GENE CLARK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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