He came from Toronto; she, from Seattle. Read Full Bio ↴www.handsomeandgretyl.com
He came from Toronto; she, from Seattle.
His parents started a radio station; hers were music teachers.
Both had music in their blood, instruments in their hands, and a mind to create.
The mountains led him to the west; a star led her to the north.
In Vancouver they met and schooled—studying music and life.
They found promise.
They found love.
In less than a year they put school on hold, got married, and lived.
With music and purpose guiding them, school called again and to Nashville they went.
He became an audio engineer; she became a songwriter; music stayed central and they continued to create.
Entering the Nashville music scene in 2009, Handsome and Gretyl released their debut EP, Hold On Tight Love, February 2011.
Handsome and Gretyl have created an earthy folk feel crossed with an imaginative jaunt of pop, a sweet and tangy piece of wild berry pie. This duo draws from real life, delivering optimistic though realistic lyrics, seasoned with the chill of snow, the sea breeze, and the hope of tomorrow’s sunrise.
After All
Handsome and Gretyl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would think before I let the words sling right out of my head
Fall fall falling
Words that you hold back
Feel equal to the stones I cast
Your silence and my sound hold fast
We're fall fall falling
After all I said
After all, I'm still here
And when the day is done
And trouble that could come did come
The moon it chases off the sun
Fall fal falling
Oh, you better know that mercy's coming soon
The sun begins it's grand pursuit
As mornig swallos up the blue
And somehow I'm still loving you
After all I did
After all you hid
After all I'm still here
I'm still here
Oh we will fall and we will rise
And oh we will waver like the skies
After all
I'm still loving you
Loving you
The lyrics of "After All" by Handsome and Gretyl speak to the power of forgiveness and perseverance in a relationship. The first verse introduces the regret and remorse the singer feels for hurtful words spoken in the past, and the weight of their partner's silence in response. The repetition of "fall fall falling" emphasizes the sense of a downward spiral, a loss of control that can come with unguarded speech.
But despite the damage done, the chorus reveals that both partners have decided to stay in the relationship, even after hurtful words and secrets have been revealed. The line "after all, I'm still here" suggests a sense of commitment and a belief that love can overcome past mistakes. The bridge provides a sort of resolution to the conflict of the song, with a metaphor that speaks to the cyclical and inevitable nature of the relationship's ups and downs. The final chorus seems to suggest a renewed sense of hope, with the affirmation that "after all, I'm still loving you."
Line by Line Meaning
If time could start again
Expressing regret and desire for a second chance.
I would think before I let the words sling right out of my head
Wishing to have acted more thoughtfully before speaking hurtful words.
Fall fall falling
A repeated metaphor for the act of fumbling and failing.
Words that you hold back
Acknowledging the importance of silence and self-restraint in communication.
Feel equal to the stones I cast
Recognizing the harm and weight of one's own words and actions towards another.
Your silence and my sound hold fast
Reflecting on the impact of contrasting communication styles and how they affect a relationship.
After all I said
Acknowledging the hurtful things one has said in the past.
After all you kept
Recognizing the pain and emotion of the other person in the relationship.
After all, I'm still here
Celebrating the resilience and perseverance of the relationship despite its challenges.
And when the day is done
Describing a moment of reflection and transition into the night.
And trouble that could come did come
Acknowledging the hardships and challenges that the couple has faced.
The moon it chases off the sun
Metaphorically representing hope overcoming despair and darkness.
Oh, you better know that mercy's coming soon
Expressing hope and faith in better times to come.
The sun begins it's grand pursuit
A metaphor for the beginning of a new day and renewed hope.
As morning swallows up the blue
Describing the transition from darkness to light.
And somehow I'm still loving you
Celebrating the enduring love and commitment within the relationship.
After all I did
Acknowledging one's own mistakes and shortcomings in the relationship.
After all you hid
Recognizing the other person's pain and the hidden emotions in the relationship.
After all I'm still here
Reaffirming the strength and resilience of the relationship.
I'm still here
A repetition of the previous line to reinforce the message of endurance in the relationship.
Oh we will fall and we will rise
Acknowledging that there will be ups and downs in the relationship but that it will continue.
And oh we will waver like the skies
Comparing the relationship to the sky, which changes constantly but is also constant and reliable.
After all
A repetition of the title, perhaps suggesting that everything that has happened in the relationship is part of its story and growth.
I'm still loving you
An affirmation of love despite the challenges and hardships of the relationship.
Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.