Over the Rhine is an American, Ohio-based band, the core of which is the hu… Read Full Bio ↴Over the Rhine is an American, Ohio-based band, the core of which is the husband-and-wife team of pianist/guitarist/bassist Linford Detweiler and vocalist/guitarist Karin Bergquist. The band originally began as a quartet with guitarist Ric Hordinski and drummer Brian Kelley. Hordinski left the band in December 1996, and Kelley continued to play into 1997 before departing. The original foursome has reunited a couple of times recently; first in December of 2008 at The Taft Theatre (in Cincinnati) to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the band and more recently, in the summer of 2010 at Ric's studio, "the Monastery," to play the album "Good Dog Bad Dog" live, in its entirety.

The band's namesake and place of origin is the Cincinnati, Ohio neighborhood Over-the-Rhine. Karin attended school in Barnesville, Ohio and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1984. She then went to Malone College, located in Canton, Ohio, where she met Linford. Karin and Linford were married in the fall of 1996 in Cincinnati and several years ago relocated to a pre-civil war farm outside of town.

Over the Rhine is now primarily Bergquist (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano) and Detweiler (keyboards, electric bass, vocals) accompanied by complementary musicians on albums and tours. Over the years, they have toured and recorded in many variations. They have shared the stage with a number of fine musicians, including Bob Dylan, John Prine, Adrian Belew, Squeeze, Ani DiFranco, My Morning Jacket, Hem, and toured as "adjunct" members of Cowboy Junkies.

Over the Rhine's new album, _The Long Surrender_ was released nationally on 1/1/11. It recorded on California with Grammy winning producer, Joe Henry and contains a duet with Lucinda Williams on "Undamned" and two songs co-written with Joe Henry.

Goodbye
Over the Rhine Lyrics

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Help me tell the truth you see
That's all I'm trying to do is
Tell the truth
I'm not that shy

This is not goodbye
And later on I won't know how
I don't know who else to be

More and more I'm secretly just me
Open your eyes

Help me tell the truth you see
That's all I'm trying to do is
Tell the truth

It's just in my head
All I've left unsaid
And later on it won't come out

I have seen the final curtain fall
If I have to I'll surrender all

I'm always coming around too late
Too late

It's not too late

Overall Meaning

"Goodbye" is a deeply introspective song from the band Over the Rhine. As the lyrics unfold, we quickly realize that it might not be a traditional farewell, but rather a way of saying, "I'm not sure where I'm going, but I need to be honest with myself and those around me." The singer pleads for help in telling the truth, as it's not something that comes easy to her. She's been keeping so much inside for so long, and now she wants to be true to herself and express her innermost thoughts and feelings. The line "I'm not that shy" seems to indicate that the singer is trying to come out of her shell and reveal her true self.

The chorus, which includes the song's title, "This is not goodbye," is not typical of a goodbye song. It conveys a sense of uncertainty and a desire to venture into uncharted waters. It's as if the singer is saying that this is not the end but rather a new beginning, and she's not quite sure what's in store for her. The lyric "More and more I'm secretly just me" suggests that she's been hiding her true self from others and even from herself. The line "Open your eyes" appears to be an appeal to someone else to recognize the changes that are happening within her.

The song's bridge suggests that the singer has gone through some difficult times in the past, possibly to the point of losing hope ("I have seen the final curtain fall"). However, she's not giving up, and she's willing to surrender anything in order to make a fresh start. The song's final refrain, "It's not too late," feels like an affirmation of this sense of new beginnings.

Line by Line Meaning

Help me tell the truth you see
The singer wants assistance in revealing the truth

That's all I'm trying to do is
The singer intends to be honest and open

Tell the truth
The singer wants to communicate what is true

I'm not that shy
The artist is not excessively timid, but rather prefers openness and honesty

This is not goodbye
The artist is not leaving permanently, but does recognize the fleeting nature of time

And later on I won't know how
The singer feels unsure about how to proceed in the future

I don't know who else to be
The singer is searching for their true self and identity

More and more I'm secretly just me
The artist is becoming increasingly comfortable with their true self

Open your eyes
The artist wants the listener to wake up and see what is true

It's just in my head
The artist's thoughts and feelings are internal, rather than being expressed outwardly

All I've left unsaid
The singer has many unexpressed thoughts and feelings

And later on it won't come out
The artist fears that if they do not express themselves now, it may be too late in the future

I have seen the final curtain fall
The singer has experienced endings and recognizes the transient nature of life

If I have to I'll surrender all
The singer is willing to let go of everything if necessary

I'm always coming around too late
The singer often feels like they miss opportunities or come too late

Too late
The artist recognizes that sometimes it is too late to change the past or take action

It's not too late
Despite past regrets, there is still time to move forward and make positive changes

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KARIN MICHELE BERGQUIST, LINFORD JEROME DETWEILER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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