On September 16, 2008, Ament released his first solo album entitled Tone. The album features ten songs written over a span of 12 years. 3,000 copies of Tone were pressed and will be distributed through independent record stores across the United States as well as through Pearl Jam's official website.
Say Goodbye
Jeff Ament Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hundreds of uncertain wills
Father Time's come to play
For the fear never goes away
Wake me. Show me your heart
Leave that shit behind.
Hold me. Take me.
Winking, the crowd to belie
A haunting of space inside.
The seed of forgotten purpose.
What's left is choked by the weeds.
Over the dirt, we soar
On a search for anything pure.
Wake me. Know I'm there
Anywhere you go.
Hold me. It's late now.
It's O.K., let me go.
Let it go
{Missoula. 4/4/02}
The lyrics to Jeff Ament's song "Say Goodbye" are poetic and introspective, exploring themes of uncertainty, fear, longing, and the search for meaning and purpose. The first verse sets the scene "under the sky," where "hundreds of uncertain wills" are at play, and Father Time has come to "play" as well. The second verse introduces the idea of waking up and leaving behind the things that weigh us down emotionally ("Leave that shit behind"), while seeking connection with someone ("Show me your heart," "Hold me, take me"). The mention of "fallen snow" suggests a theme of renewal and starting over.
The third verse brings a more haunting and melancholy tone to the song, with a crowd "winking" to belie the inner emptiness and lack of direction many feel. The mention of a "forgotten purpose" and weeds choking out what remains suggest a sense of loss and disillusionment. The final verse offers a glimmer of hope, with the idea of soaring "over the dirt" in search of something pure. The final lines "Let it go" suggest a desire to release the past and move forward with clarity and purpose.
Overall, "Say Goodbye" is a powerful and introspective song that touches on universal themes of human struggle and the search for meaning and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the sky, we build
Amidst the vastness of the sky, we build our lives and futures on uncertain grounds.
Hundreds of uncertain wills
There are countless people who have little or no idea where their lives are headed next.
Father Time's come to play
Time marches on and waits for no one, so it is up to us to take charge of our own destinies.
For the fear never goes away
We are all plagued by fears and uncertainties that never seem to leave us, no matter how much we try to overcome them.
Wake me. Show me your heart
I am in need of love and kindness, and I implore you to demonstrate your affection and show me your true self.
Leave that shit behind.
Forget about the negativity and toxicity that has been holding you back, and move towards a brighter future.
Hold me. Take me.
I am seeking comfort and solace from someone who can provide me with it, so please hold me and take me under your wing.
Into the fallen snow.
Take me to a peaceful and serene place, where I can contemplate my thoughts and reflect on my life.
Winking, the crowd to belie
Through a facade of amusement and joviality, there lies a deep sense of emptiness in the hearts of many.
A haunting of space inside.
A recurring feeling of loneliness and isolation that permeates the hearts of those who have known hardship and pain.
The seed of forgotten purpose.
A once vibrant and meaningful idea or goal that has fallen by the wayside and has been forgotten over time.
What's left is choked by the weeds.
Whatever is left of that once promising idea or goal has been suffocated by the negativity and struggles of life.
Over the dirt, we soar
Despite the bleakness of the world, we strive to rise above our struggles and soar higher towards a brighter future.
On a search for anything pure.
In the midst of all the chaos and corruption, we seek for something that is genuine and true.
Wake me. Know I'm there
Although I may be struggling and lost, I exist and I am in need of love and support.
Anywhere you go.
I will follow you and be by your side, no matter where life takes us.
Hold me. It's late now.
As the night draws on and darkness envelopes us, I need you to embrace me and give me the warmth and reassurance I crave.
It's O.K., let me go.
Sometimes, we need to let go of the past and move on in order to find true happiness and fulfillment in life.
Let it go
Relinquish your fears and doubts, and let go of anything that is holding you back from achieving your goals and aspirations.
{Missoula. 4/4/02}
This song was performed in Missoula on April 4, 2002.
Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Josh G
Loved this project.
Dena Meneades
Nice & relaxing.
kludgedup
Anyone manage to work out the lyrics to this song?
temporarytraveller
@kludgedup They are in the cd box.