When You're Gone
Nelson Lyrics


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(I. Hanson, T. Hanson, Z. Hanson)

Well I just can't seem to pity
'Cause my heart's to numb to feel
And the smile does all the talking
Though the pain is all that's real
With the way that you keep screaming
I can hardly hear to think
And I feel the bridges burning
Underneath my feet

Where do you go, Oooh
When you're gone
Where do you go, Oooh
When you're gone
Oh, how the road feels so long
But where do you go Ooh
When you're gone

I just want to stay dreaming
No I just don't want to wake
Why can't we keep on sailing
Across this emerald lake
My forehead is still bleeding
From the thorns I used to wear
And I'm left alone and beaten
For this cross I choose to bear

Where do you go, Oooh
When you're gone
Where do you go, Oooh
When you're gone
Oh, how the road feels so long
But where do you go Ooh
When you're gone

Well I finally found what I'm looking for
Though the road's still long and the light is still far
But I finally found what I'm looking for
Well I finally found what I'm looking for
Though the road's still long and the light is still far
But I finally found what I'm looking for

Well the voices fall like timber
And the fear it pours like rain
And my heart is crushed to cinders
Underneath this kind of pain
Well there is no resolution
When the revolution's dead
So I'm left with no solution
For the voices in my head

Where do you go, Oooh
When you're gone
Where do you go, Oooh
When you're gone
Oh, how the road feels so long




But where do you go, Ooh
When you're gone

Overall Meaning

In "When You're Gone," Nelson sings about the pain of losing someone or something important in your life and the struggles that come with moving on. The song opens with the idea that the singer's heart has become too numb to feel, despite the fact that he's in pain. He tries to put up a brave face, but the pain is real and the bridges are burning underneath him. The chorus is a question: where do you go when you're gone? The singer is lost and doesn't know where to turn next.


The second verse adds some more imagery to the mix. The singer wishes he could stay dreaming, never waking up to the reality that his life has changed. He feels beaten down and isolated, with a cross to bear. The chorus repeats, asking where the vanished person or thing has gone.


The third verse represents a turning point in the song. The singer has finally found what he's been looking for, although the road is still long and the light is still far away. However, the voices in his head still torment him. There is no resolution to be found, and even the revolution is dead. The chorus repeats again, highlighting the singer's sense of loss and disorientation. Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that there is no way to fully move on from what has been lost- no matter how far you travel, you will always wonder where that missing piece of you has gone.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I just can't seem to pity
I am unable to feel sympathy towards others


'Cause my heart's too numb to feel
My emotions are suppressed and I am unable to feel anything


And the smile does all the talking
I pretend to be happy and hide my pain behind my smile


Though the pain is all that's real
I am in pain and that's the only thing that's true


With the way that you keep screaming
You are screaming too much and I can hardly think


I can hardly hear to think
I am unable to think properly due to your screaming


And I feel the bridges burning
I am losing my relationships due to my pain and inability to communicate


Underneath my feet
It is happening right under me and I can't do anything about it


Where do you go, Oooh
Where do you go when you are not here


When you're gone
When you are not here with me


Oh, how the road feels so long
The journey without you is extremely difficult and painful


But where do you go Ooh
Where do you disappear to


I just want to stay dreaming
I want to escape reality and continue dreaming


No I just don't want to wake
I don't want to face the harsh reality


Why can't we keep on sailing
Why can't we continue to live happily


Across this emerald lake
In this beautiful and happy place


My forehead is still bleeding
I am still hurting from the past


From the thorns I used to wear
From the mistakes I used to make


And I'm left alone and beaten
I am left isolated and defeated


For this cross I choose to bear
For the burden that I chose to carry


Well I finally found what I'm looking for
I have finally found what I was searching for


Though the road's still long and the light is still far
The journey is still difficult and far from over


But I finally found what I'm looking for
But I have finally found what I was searching for


Well the voices fall like timber
The voices in my head are overwhelming and destructive


And the fear it pours like rain
I am constantly in fear and it's like a never-ending rain


And my heart is crushed to cinders
My heart is shattered and broken


Underneath this kind of pain
Due to this intense level of pain


Well there is no resolution
There is no solution to my problems


When the revolution's dead
When there is no more change or hope left


So I'm left with no solution
I am helpless and have no way out


For the voices in my head
For the overwhelming thoughts and emotions in my mind


Where do you go, Oooh
Where do you go when you're not here


When you're gone
When you are absent and not present with me


Oh, how the road feels so long
The journey without you is extremely difficult and painful


But where do you go, Ooh
Where do you disappear to




Contributed by Caden R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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