Souvenirs
John Prine / Steve Goodman Lyrics

All the snow has turned to water
Winter has passed and given way to spring, marking the passage of time.

Christmas days have come and gone
The holidays have passed, another year has gone by.

Broken toys and faded colours are all that's left to linger on
The physical remnants of childhood are all that remain, things that are broken and faded like memories that have lost their vibrance.

I hate graveyards and old pawn shops
These places serve as reminders of loss, whether of loved ones or precious possessions that had to be sold out of necessity.

For they always bring me tears
The sadness associated with these places is deep and profound, often bringing one to tears.

I can't forgive the way they robbed me of my childhood souvenirs
The loss of childhood mementos, whether sold or lost, can feel like a theft of one's past and the memories that go with it.

Memories, they can't be boughten
No amount of money can buy memories, they are priceless.

They can't be won at carnivals for free
Even fleeting moments of happiness gained at carnivals are not true memories, they don't bring the depth or significance that true memories do.

Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
Creating real memories takes time and effort, and the souvenirs that come with them are all the more precious for it.

And I don't know how they slipped away from me
Sometimes the passing of time erodes memories, causing them to fade or be lost, leaving one with a sense of confusion or helplessness.

Broken hearts and dirty windows
The emotional pain of heartbreak and the physical world outside can make it difficult to see clearly, amplifying the sense of loss or sorrow.

Make life difficult to see
These obstacles can obstruct one's view and perspective on life, clouding the ability to see what's ahead.

That's why last night and this morning always look the same to me
When caught up in feelings of loss or nostalgia, time can seem to blend together into a never-ending cycle of sameness and monotony.

And I hate reading old love letters
Memories associated with lost or faded romantic relationships can be especially painful, and revisiting those memories through old letters can be difficult to bear.

I can't forget the way they robbed me of my sweetheart's souvenirs
The loss of a romantic relationship can feel like a personal loss of shared memories and experiences, leaving one with a sense of grief and longing.