if
Liz Menezes Lyrics


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If a picture paints a thousand words
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show
The you I've come to know

If a face could launch a thousand ships
Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you
You're all that's left me too
And when my love for life is running dry
You come and pour yourself on me

If a man could be two places at one time
I'd be with you
Tomorrow and today
Beside you all the way

If the world should stop revolving
Spinning slowly down to die
I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through




Then one by one the stars would all go out
Then you and I would simply fly away

Overall Meaning

Liz Menezes’s song “If” is a deeply romantic and poetic song that explores the power of love and companionship. The song is a tender expression of the singer’s love for their partner and contemplates the deep connection and closeness that they share. The opening lines of the song, “If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can’t I paint you?” are a metaphor for the difficulty in fully expressing the depth of one’s love through words alone. The singer acknowledges that while words are important, they can never fully capture the essence of the person they have come to know and love.


The second stanza continues with the theme of powerful metaphors, asking “If a face could launch a thousand ships, then where am I to go?” This line is a reference to the legend of the Trojan War, in which Helen of Troy’s beauty was said to be so stunning that it launched a thousand ships. The singer acknowledges that even in the face of such beauty and power, they are content to be with their partner alone, as they are all that is left for them. The tender lines “And when my love for life is running dry, you come and pour yourself on me” underscore the strength and depth of the bond between the singer and their loved one, and how it sustains them through all of life’s struggles.


The third stanza takes the metaphorical language of the first two stanzas to its natural conclusion, asking “If a man could be two places at one time, I’d be with you, tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.” This line speaks to the longing that many people feel to be with their loved ones always, and the impossibility of fully realizing that dream. Finally, the song ends with a meditation on the power of love to transcend the boundaries of time and space. “If the world should stop revolving, spinning slowly down to die, I’d spend the end with you. And when the world was through, then one by one the stars would all go out, then you and I would simply fly away.” The singer imagines a world in which everything has ended, and only their love remains.


In summary, “If” is a powerful and deeply romantic song that expresses the singer’s love and devotion to their partner. The lyrics are full of poetic metaphors and vivid imagery, and the song captures the feeling of being deeply connected to another person in an almost otherworldly way.


Line by Line Meaning

If a picture paints a thousand words
If the depth and complexity of an image can convey a message equivalent to a thousand words, then why am I still unable to capture and express the essence of you?


Then why can't I paint you?
So why do my attempts to express your beauty and complexity fall short?


The words will never show
Words fail me in capturing the complexity of your beauty, as well as the depth of my emotion for you.


The you I've come to know
The essence of you that I have experienced and come to understand.


If a face could launch a thousand ships
If a single glance from a person could inspire a thousand ships to sail off to war, competition or other battle-like conflicts.


Then where am I to go?
What options and chances do I have when you have captured my attention and heart, so it's only you I see or need?


There's no one home but you
You are the only one who matters to me or who makes my life worthwhile.


You're all that's left me too
In a world where everything is fluid and fleeting, you are the constant, the rock on which I can always rely.


And when my love for life is running dry
At times when I feel spent, when I have no more left to give, you give me a new lease on life and replenish my energy and spirit.


You come and pour yourself on me
You shower me with your love and care, generously offering all of yourself to me.


If a man could be two places at one time
If it were possible for one to be in two different locations simultaneously.


I'd be with you
I would choose to be with you in both these locations, prioritizing and focusing my attention on you.


Tomorrow and today
Both in the future and in the present moment, I would be with you, loyal and devoted to you always.


Beside you all the way
I would be with you through every moment and challenge, faithfully walking by your side.


If the world should stop revolving
If the very earth and its movements ceased to exist.


Spinning slowly down to die
Progressively losing energy and power, leading to its eventual end.


I'd spend the end with you
Despite the world ending, you would be my only priority and comforting presence.


And when the world was through
Once everything else had faded and ended.


Then one by one the stars would all go out
After everything on earth had ended, even the stars in the sky would burn out and disappear.


Then you and I would simply fly away
Only you and I would remain, soaring away from the end of everything, in our own world and love.




Contributed by Luke W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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