One of These Things First
Nick Drake Lyrics


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I could have been a sailor, could have been a cook
A real live lover, could have been a book
I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock
I could be
Here and now
I would be, I should be
But how?
I could have been
One of these things first
I could have been
One of these things first

I could have been your pillar, could have been your door
I could have stayed beside you, could have stayed for more
I could have been your statue, could have been your friend
A whole long lifetime could have been the end
I could be yours so true
I would be, I should be through and through
I could have been
One of these things first
I could have been
One of these things first

I could have been a whistle, could have been a flute
A real live giver, could have been a boot
I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock
I could be even here
I would be, I should be so near
I could have been
One of these things first




I could have been
One of these things first

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are about missed opportunities and choices that could have been made differently. The singer is reflecting on the many paths that their life could have taken, and they seem to be regretful about some of them. The repeated phrase "I could have been" emphasizes that these alternatives are now lost. The first stanza mentions various occupations such as sailor, cook, lover or author, whereas the second stanza highlights the possibility of being someone's support system like a door or a pillar, or a long-lasting companion like a statue. The third and final stanza brings it back to the idea of being a musical instrument or a steady signpost with a clear direction.


The singer's sense of indecision and uncertainty is highlighted by the lines "I would be, I should be, but how?" and "I could be even here, I would be, I should be so near." These lines suggest that despite all the different paths that could have been taken, the singer is still not sure what they want or how to achieve it. The repetition of the title phrase "One of These Things First" at the end of each stanza emphasizes this sense of missed opportunity.


Overall, the song captures a wistful mood and a sense of longing for what could have been. It invites the listener to reflect on their own choices and the roads not taken.


Line by Line Meaning

I could have been a sailor, could have been a cook
I had many choices and possibilities in life, including the option of a career at sea or in the culinary arts.


A real live lover, could have been a book
I had the potential for passionate and romantic relationships, or could have lived a life of solitude and learnedness.


I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
My life could have been as complex or as simple as a signpost or clock, with predictable outcomes and meanings.


As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock
I had the choice to live a life of simplicity and dependability, like that of a kettle or a rock.


I could be Here and now I would be, I should be But how?
I recognize that I should be present and focused on the present moment, but struggle with how to actually achieve this.


I could have been One of these things first I could have been One of these things first
I had the potential to live any of these lives or choose any of these paths, but ultimately made a different choice.


I could have been your pillar, could have been your door
I had the choice to be a support and foundation for someone, or to open doors and provide opportunities for them.


I could have stayed beside you, could have stayed for more
I had the potential to remain committed and loyal to someone or something, and to explore further possibilities and opportunities with them.


I could have been your statue, could have been your friend
I had the potential to be a symbol of honor or admiration, or to be a more human and relatable presence as a friend.


A whole long lifetime could have been the end
I recognize that any of these choices could have resulted in a lifelong commitment or achievement, and that my current path may not offer the same certainty.


I could be yours so true I would be, I should be through and through
I recognize that I could have been fully devoted and committed to someone or something, but am unsure if I have fully achieved this in my current life.


I could have been a whistle, could have been a flute A real live giver, could have been a boot
I had the potential to live any kind of life, from one of artistic expression to one of pure utility and usefulness to others.


I could be even here I would be, I should be so near
I recognize that I have the ability to fully engage with my current surroundings and relationships, but struggle with how to do so.




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Nick Drake

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Preston


on Kimbie

And I need

And I need a Mackinaw

Preston


on Kimbie

how

hawl

Preston


on Kimbie

It's not a show. It's a shawl. The point here is that can be once a luxury item, a shawl that costs $9, while the speaker needs a Mackinaw, which is a practical warm coat. She "wants" something, but he "needs" something.

Preston


on Kimbie

Kimbie wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie desires a performance that costs exactly nine dollars

Kimbie wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie repeatedly expresses her desire for a nine dollar performance

She wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie is insistent on attending a nine dollar show

And I need
The artist has a need that is yet to be revealed

Well Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist is telling Kimbie to let her hair loose and relax

Kimbie let your hair hang down
The singer repeats his request to Kimbie, urging her to let go of her worries

Let your hair hang down
The singer encourages Kimbie to let her hair down, implying that she should stop worrying and enjoy herself

T'il it touches the ground
The artist suggests that Kimbie should let her hair down completely

Well Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist reminds Kimbie to let go of her worries as he intends to depart soon

Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist emphasizes the importance of Kimbie letting her hair down before he leaves

Cause come the morning I’ll be gone
The singer implies that he will not stay for long

Well Kimbie where you been so long
The artist questions Kimbie's whereabouts since he last saw her

I’ve been down in your state pen
Kimbie has spent time in a prison located in the singer's state

With those rough and rowdy
Kimbie has been surrounded by aggressive and unruly people

Rough and rowdy men
The people Kimbie has been surrounded by in prison are male and are known for their aggressive behaviour

Well Kimbie where you been so long
The artist repeats his question, wondering where Kimbie has been and why she has been away for so long

And I gotta go back again
Kimbie reveals that she has to return to prison once again

Well I wished I was a mole in the ground
The singer expresses his wish to be a mole that burrows underground

I wished I were a mole in the ground
The singer repeats his desire to become a mole

I was a mole in the ground
The artist imagines himself as a mole burrowing beneath the surface of the earth

And that I’d tear this mountain
The artist imagines himself digging through a mountain

I’d tear this mountain down
The artist would use his strength to destroy a mountain if he were a mole

Wished I was a mole in the ground
The singer repeats his desire to become a mole, implying that he wants to be free from the burdens of the human world

Dave


on Free Ride

That interpretation isn't correct at all.

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