Both Sides Now
Gregorian Lyrics

Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
I used to have vivid and imaginative dreams, imagining things like swirling angel hair and towering castles made of ice cream.

And feather canyons everywhere, I've looked at clouds that way.
I used to see the world through a fanciful, romantic lens, seeing even the clouds as soft and dreamlike feather canyons.

But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
As I grew older, my idealistic views gave way to reality, where clouds are just hindrances that block the sun's warmth and bring rain and snow to dampen everyone's moods.

So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way.
My dreamy ideals may have hindered me from accomplishing certain goals, as clouds do when they block out the sun and cast a shadow over everything.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
Reflecting on my changing perspective, I can say that I've seen clouds in both a positive and negative light.

From up and down, and still somehow
Whether looking up at their beauty or down at the damage they cause, my feelings about clouds still manage to confuse me.

It's cloud illusions I recall.
Despite all my experiences with them, what I remember most about clouds is the romanticized notion of their beauty that I once held.

I really don't know clouds at all.
In the end, I realize that my perception of clouds is incomplete and unreliable.

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way that you feel
Love and life can be seen as playful, almost whimsical things that can make you feel giddy and dizzy with joy.

As every fairy tale comes real; I've looked at love that way.
I once viewed love as a perfect, storybook romance where everything falls perfectly into place.

But now it's just another show. You leave 'em laughing when you go
However, the reality of love is often far from perfect, and can be more like a performance where you put on a show for others, with no real substance or depth.

And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.
In order to protect yourself from being hurt or disappointed, it's sometimes best to keep your true feelings and desires hidden from others and not give too much of yourself away too soon.

I've looked at love from both sides now,
Like my changing views on clouds, my perceptions of love have also shifted over time.

From give and take, and still somehow
Through the highs and lows of relationships and interactions with others, I've come to realize that love is not just about giving or taking, but a complex mixture of both.

It's love's illusions that I recall.
Despite my realizations about the true nature of love, I still find myself returning to the dreamy, idealized versions of it that I have held onto.

I really don't know love at all.
Ultimately, like clouds and life, my understanding of love is incomplete and evolving.

Tears and fears and feeling proud, to say "I love you" right out loud,
Emotions like sorrow, apprehension, and pride can make it difficult to express love openly and honestly, but doing so can also be freeing and empowering.

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way.
I used to approach life as a grand spectacle, a big top full of dreams and schemes, full of excitement and possibility.

But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say I've changed.
As I've grown and evolved, I may have lost some of the people and connections that once defined my life, as they struggle to understand the changes in my perspective.

Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.
Although I may have lost some parts of my old self, I've also gained new experiences, knowledge, and wisdom that have shaped me into who I am today.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
Reflecting back on my life, I can see how my perspective has shifted and changed over time.

From win and lose, and still somehow
Whether winning or losing, succeeding or failing, I've come to understand that life is more nuanced and multi-faceted than a simple binary of success or failure.

It's life's illusions I recall.
Despite everything I've learned and experienced, I still find myself returning to the illusions and idealizations of life that I once held.

I really don't know life at all.
In the end, I realize that despite all my experiences and growth, life is still a mysterious and complex force that I may never fully understand.