Performing Songwriter calls Hutchinson, "...A master of introspective ballads filled with understated yearning and an exquisite sense of metaphor." The twenty-six year old describes her style as "lyric-based, folk-pop, with a whole lot of small town idealism and one devastating break up thrown in for good measure." Among her influences she is quick to include poet Mary Oliver along with the likes of David Grey, Patty Griffin, Greg Brown and Shawn Colvin. Her songs are characterized by a weathered but unselfconscious optimism, a love of language and of the natural world. Having grown up in a town of 5,000 people, "just outside the National Historic District," her songs possess all the charm of Lake Wobegon, tempered by a sweet and timeless voice.
Perhaps
Meg Hutchinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So let me trace my borders again
Meaning at the end of the evening this is where I
stand
Waving to you from the other side of the glass
Perhaps I have not given you fair warning
I'm just an instrument of song
You play one string the other's hum along
I'm just an awkward girl from a small town
Weary of saling our cargo around
And I'm sorry if I lead you to believe
That I had come all this way to live
forever in your city
And I'm sorry it's such a thin thin line
Between flattery and panic in my life
Perhaps I have been flirting with a vision of
these parallel lives
Every choice I come to seems miles wide
Meaning at the end of the evening I must
abandon my part
For this long drive home through the winter dark
And I'm sorry if I lead you to believe
That I had come all this way to live
forever in your city
And I'm sorry if I lead you to believe that I
had more to say to you than it may seem
And I'm sorry it's such a thin thin line
Between flattery and panic in my life
The song "Perhaps" by Meg Hutchinson deals with themes of boundaries, self-awareness, and the tension between expectations and reality. The first stanza includes the lyrics, "Perhaps I have not drawn the line clearly enough / So let me trace my borders again" which highlights the singer's need to establish boundaries and assert their position. The imagery of standing on the other side of a glass suggests a distance or separation between the singer and the subject of the song, and the repetition of "at the end of the evening" indicates a sense of finality or closure. The second stanza reveals that the singer is "just an instrument of song" and that they are feeling awkward and weary of "saling our cargo around." While the reference to music suggests a certain level of creativity or artistic expression, the label of being an "instrument" implies a lack of agency or control over their own life.
Throughout the song, the singer apologizes for any misinterpretations or misunderstandings that may have occurred, emphasizing the thin line between "flattery and panic" in their life. The final stanza discusses the singer's indecision and anxiety about making choices, particularly those related to parallel lives and different paths. The line "Every choice I come to seems miles wide" suggests that there is no clear direction or easy answer, and the repetition of "and I'm sorry" indicates a sense of guilt or responsibility towards others. The final lines describe the singer leaving and driving home through the winter dark, implying a sense of loneliness or isolation.
Overall, "Perhaps" is a reflective and introspective song that explores the complexities of human relationships and the importance of self-awareness and communication.
Line by Line Meaning
Perhaps I have not drawn the line clearly enough
Maybe I haven't been clear about my boundaries or intentions
So let me trace my borders again
I need to redefine my limits and make my intentions clear
Meaning at the end of the evening this is where I stand
This is my stance and I won't go beyond it
Waving to you from the other side of the glass
I'm distant and not willing to get too close
Perhaps I have not given you fair warning
Maybe I haven't been upfront about my intentions
I'm just an instrument of song
I'm just expressing myself through my art
You play one string the other's hum along
Your actions affect others around you
Meaning at the end of the evening I'm just an awkward girl from a small town
In the end, I'm just a simple girl from a small town
Weary of selling our cargo around
Tired of trying to sell myself and my art
And I'm sorry if I lead you to believe that I had come all this way to live forever in your city
I apologize if I made it seem like I wanted to stay in your city permanently
And I'm sorry it's such a thin thin line between flattery and panic in my life
I'm sorry that the line between flattery and anxiety is so fragile for me
Perhaps I have been flirting with a vision of these parallel lives
Maybe I've been imagining different paths for myself
Every choice I come to seems miles wide
Every decision feels monumental and has far-reaching consequences
Meaning at the end of the evening I must abandon my part
At the end of the day, I have to let go of my dreams and desires
For this long drive home through the winter dark
I have a long journey ahead of me, and it's not going to be easy
And I'm sorry if I lead you to believe that I had more to say to you than it may seem
I apologize if I gave you the impression that I had more to say
Writer(s): HUTCHINSON MARGARET E
Contributed by Sophia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.