Maybe Not Tonight
Glen Hansard Lyrics


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Echoes of another time
Playing lightly on my mind
There's many rivers still cross
To temper bitterness and loss,
Though what you say is true
This might be it for me and you
Maybe we can draw that line
Maybe another time.
Well I wanna do what's right
But maybe not tonight.

Memories of another town
Those pretty eyes, that pretty frown.
In the long grass where we lay
And let the whole world fall away.
And though in time we've walked apart,
You were always in my heart
Maybe we should say goodbye
But maybe not tonight.

I remember you were just a child
Burning brightly and running wild
We married on an August night
No priest, no church, just the big moon shining bright.
Maybe we should be moving on,
And figure what is done is done
Maybe we should break those vows
But maybe not right
Maybe we should do what's right
But baby not tonight.




Maybe we should both just do what's right
But baby not tonight.

Overall Meaning

In Glen Hansard's Maybe Not Tonight, the song is filled with contemplation and reflection about a relationship that is reaching its end. The opening verse of "Echoes of another time playing lightly on my mind, there's many rivers still cross to temper bitterness and loss," invites the listener to consider the past and the emotional baggage that comes with it. The repetition of the word 'maybe' throughout the song creates a feeling of uncertainty, questioning whether it is time to end the relationship or if it can be preserved. The chorus, "Well, I wanna do what's right, but maybe not tonight," echoes the sentiment of hesitation even though it is acknowledged that eventually the relationship will come to an end.


The second verse mentions "memories of another town, those pretty eyes, that pretty frown," invoking a sense of nostalgia for what was before. The imagery of "In the long grass where we lay and let the whole world fall away," creates a bittersweet feeling, reminiscing about the past but acknowledging the present reality. The incorporation of "You were always in my heart" suggests an acceptance of the inevitable end of the relationship even though it may be painful. The final verse adds depth to the song, revealing the backstory of the relationship, presenting a couple who were married without institutionalized ceremony. The line "maybe we should break those vows, but maybe not right, maybe we should do what's right," suggests that some actions may be contradictory to the ideal of what we think is 'right' and that it is often complex to navigate relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Echoes of another time
Reminders of past experiences that still linger


Playing lightly on my mind
Still fresh in my thoughts, but not causing too much trouble


There's many rivers still cross
There are still many obstacles to overcome


To temper bitterness and loss
To lessen the anger and sadness felt


Though what you say is true
Although your words are accurate


This might be it for me and you
Our relationship may be coming to an end


Maybe we can draw that line
Perhaps we can finalize our separation


Maybe another time.
But not right now


Well I wanna do what's right
I have good intentions


But maybe not tonight.
But I'm not ready to act on them at the moment


Memories of another town
Recollections of a place we used to be


Those pretty eyes, that pretty frown.
Remembering your attractive features and disposition


In the long grass where we lay
A specific memory of a location where we were together


And let the whole world fall away.
Caught up in the moment, forgetting everything else


And though in time we've walked apart,
Even though we have spent time apart


You were always in my heart
You have always meant something to me


Maybe we should say goodbye
Maybe we should end things between us


But maybe not tonight.
But not immediately


I remember you were just a child
A reflection on how much time has passed


Burning brightly and running wild
Recalling your youthful spirit


We married on an August night
A special moment shared between us


No priest, no church, just the big moon shining bright.
A non-traditional wedding that was still beautiful


Maybe we should be moving on,
Perhaps it's time to go our separate ways


And figure what is done is done
Accepting that things can't be changed


Maybe we should break those vows
Possibly ending our commitment to each other


But maybe not right
But not immediately


Maybe we should do what's right
Doing the honorable thing


But baby not tonight.
But just not yet


Maybe we should both just do what's right
Maybe we should act with good intentions


But baby not tonight.
But just not right now




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLEN HANSARD, GLEN JAMES HANSARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@raspberry481

Echoes of another time
Playin' lightly on my mind
There's many rivers still to cross
To temper the bitterness in love
Though what you say is true
This might be it for me and you
Maybe we can draw that line
Maybe another time
Well I wanna do what's right
But maybe not tonight
Memories of another time
Those pretty eyes, that pretty frown
And in the long grass where we lay
Let the whole world fall away
And though in time we walked apart
But maybe not tonight
I remember you were just a child
Burning brightly and running wild
We married on an August night
No priest, no church, just a big moon shining bright
Maybe we should be moving on
And figure what is done is done
Maybe we should break those vows
Aw, but maybe not right now
Maybe we should do what's right
Maybe not tonight
Maybe we should both just do what's right
Baby, not tonight
 



@abideinme

Maybe Not Tonight
Glen Hansard
Echoes of another time
Playin' lightly on my mind
There's many rivers still to cross
To temper the bitterness in love
Though what you say is true
This might be it for me and you
Maybe we can draw that line
Maybe another time
Well I wanna do what's right
But maybe not tonight
Memories of another time
Those pretty eyes, that pretty frown
And in the long grass where we lay
Let the whole world fall away
And though in time we walked apart
But maybe not tonight
I remember you were just a child
Burning brightly and running wild
We married on an August night
No priest, no church, just a big moon shining bright
Maybe we should be moving on
And figure what is done is done
Maybe we should break those vows
Aw, but maybe not right now
Maybe we should do what's right
Maybe not tonight
Maybe we should both just do what's right
Baby, not tonight
Fuente: Musixmatch
Compositores: Glenn



All comments from YouTube:

@1Levinsky

How can such a beautiful song go so unnoticed??? Hansard captures the beauty of songwriting in this exquisitely written piece. Sublime song!

@martinsloan9785

I was driving through the hills of Cambria, Ca. when this song came on, I thought I was in heaven.......

@raspberry481

Echoes of another time
Playin' lightly on my mind
There's many rivers still to cross
To temper the bitterness in love
Though what you say is true
This might be it for me and you
Maybe we can draw that line
Maybe another time
Well I wanna do what's right
But maybe not tonight
Memories of another time
Those pretty eyes, that pretty frown
And in the long grass where we lay
Let the whole world fall away
And though in time we walked apart
But maybe not tonight
I remember you were just a child
Burning brightly and running wild
We married on an August night
No priest, no church, just a big moon shining bright
Maybe we should be moving on
And figure what is done is done
Maybe we should break those vows
Aw, but maybe not right now
Maybe we should do what's right
Maybe not tonight
Maybe we should both just do what's right
Baby, not tonight
 

@calebgrabowski3629

rasp berry GREAT THX! EXCEPT ITS BURNIN BROCCOLI

@heatherhumphreys513

Wonderful lyrics, though you have missed quite a few lines in the second verse ;)

@lizafromthemoon664

Caleb Grabowski Hahaaaaa, I‘m loosing it :‘D

@ndmblackblade

The sweetest song I've heard in a long long time!

@richo61

So romantic - so emotionally real.
This is my new favorite song.

@daniellewis409

Seen him three times and wept at how deep and touching his lyrics are. Such a true artist

@vooshiningstone3761

I can never get enough of this song. It is so special.

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