Left
Nickelback Lyrics


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I saw the river, just pulled him down
I knew the man who hunted him down
We watched the river, take him away
Before he died, I could have sworn he said
I am the only one
I am the only one left

Tired and afraid lies a saddened man
Knelt beside him with head in hand
And escaped life here with a lonely breath
But before he died I could have sworn he said

I am the only one
I am the only one left
Who ever gave a damn about you
I am sorry
I am sorry
I was wrong
I was wrong





I've been wrong for way too long
I am sorry that you're gone

Overall Meaning

The song Left by Nickelback is an emotional and intense song about the regrets and apologies of someone who has lost a loved one. The opening lines of the song set the scene for a tragic event where the singer witnesses someone being pulled down by the river - this event has a significant impact on him as he knew the person who hunted the victim. The chorus "I am the only one, I am the only one left" is sung by the victim, indicating that they are the only one left who cares about the singer, adding to the tragedy of the lyrics.


The second verse describes a saddened man who is tired and afraid - likely the singer himself who is kneeling beside his loved one's body. The lyrics suggest that the singer ignored and neglected the victim for too long, as indicated by "I am sorry, I was wrong, I've been wrong for way too long". The final line "I am sorry that you're gone" is a direct apology and an acknowledgement of the singer's regret for not appreciating their loved one more.


Overall, the song Left is a powerful representation of regret and the importance of showing your loved ones that you care for them when they are still with you.


Line by Line Meaning

I saw the river, just pulled him down
The singer witnessed someone drowning in a river and couldn't save them.


I knew the man who hunted him down
The singer knows who caused the drowning or is responsible for it.


We watched the river, take him away
The singer and others were helpless as the river carried the drowned person away.


Before he died, I could have sworn he said
As the drowned person was dying, the artist thinks they heard their last words.


I am the only one
The drowned person believed that no one else cared about them.


I am the only one left
The drowned person saw themselves as alone in the world and now they are gone.


Tired and afraid lies a saddened man
Someone is lying down, feeling drained and afraid.


Knelt beside him with head in hand
The artist is kneeling near the person, feeling sorrowful or helpless.


And escaped life here with a lonely breath
The person lying down has now passed away, taking a final, solitary breath.


Who ever gave a damn about you
The artist questions if anyone ever cared for the deceased person.


I am sorry
The singer expresses their remorse for not being able to save the drowned person or for not showing them enough care and attention in life.


I was wrong
The artist acknowledges their mistakes and regrets.


I've been wrong for way too long
The singer admits to a long-standing pattern of wrong behavior.


I am sorry that you're gone
The singer expresses their grief for the loss of the person and their regrets for the way things turned out.




Lyrics © Regard Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRANDON KROEGER, BRANDON HENRY KROEGER, CHAD KROEGER, JEFF BOYD, MICHAEL KROEGER, MICHAEL DOUGLAS HENRY KROEGER, MIKE KROEGER, RYAN PEAKE, RYAN ANTHONY PEAKE

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