The Last of Goodbyes
Moby Lyrics

The lyrics to Moby's song The Last of Goodbyes seem to touch on themes of criminality, violence, sorrow, and love. The first stanza references "criminal souls" and "criminal silence," painting a picture of destruction and chaos. The following lines suggest a tearing apart of something - perhaps a relationship or society itself - with a violence that is criminal in nature. The singer notes the "song birds describing refrain," suggesting that even in the midst of such chaos, there is still music and beauty to be found.

The second stanza begins with a litany of the singer's physical limitations - "I can't see, I can't speak, I can't walk, I can't talk" - but declares that despite this, the singer can still see "how it's falling apart." There is a sense of helplessness here, as the singer is unable to do anything to stop the destruction happening around them. The lines "there was a time when we were held above / to the falling when we're dying for love" suggest that perhaps the destruction being witnessed is related to a failed romance or other passionate pursuit.

The chorus of the song, "It's the last of goodbyes" is sung with a somewhat mournful tone, emphasizing the pain and sorrow of saying farewell to something or someone. The bridge seems to suggest a desire for grace and praise, but notes that to fully accept these things, the singer needs to have the ability to see and accept themselves. The closing lines, "back to a time when I held from above / into the falling when we're dying for love" bring the song full circle, suggesting that perhaps the love that was once held up high has now fallen and is causing destruction.