Latter Days
Over the Rhine Lyrics


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What a beautiful piece of heartache
This has all turned out to be
Lord knows we've learned the hard way
All about healthy apathy

I use these words pretty loosely
There's so much more to life than words
There is a me you would not recognize, dear
Call it the shadow of myself
And if the music starts before I get there
Dance without me, you dance so gracefully
I really think I'll be okay
They've taken a toll, these latter days

Nothing like sleeping on a bed of nails
Nothing much here but our broken dream
Oh, but baby, if all else fails
Nothing is ever quite what it seems

And I'm dying inside to leave you
With more than just cliches

There is a me you would not recognize, dear
Call it the shadow of myself
And if the music starts before I get there
Dance without me, you dance so gracefully
I really think I'll be okay
They've taken their toll, these latter days
They've taken their toll, these latter days

Tell them it's real
Tell them it's really real
I just don't have much left to say




They've taken their toll, these latter days
They've taken their toll, these latter days

Overall Meaning

The song "Latter Days" by Over the Rhine is a melancholic, introspective piece that explores the toll that life can take on a person. The opening lyrics, "What a beautiful piece of heartache, this has all turned out to be" set the tone for the rest of the song. Through the use of powerful, emotive language, the artist reflects on the bitter lessons learned through "hard-won" experiences, punctuated by the longing and agony of love lost.


The lyrics also touch on themes of self-discovery, exploring the idea of an "other" self that the artist has discovered within herself, and the acceptance of this self as a part of her being. This is communicated in the lines, "There is a me you would not recognize, dear, call it the shadow of myself." This sense of detachment is echoed in the final section of the song, with the line "Tell them it's real, tell them it's really real, I just don't have much left to say." The artist has come to terms with the reality of the world, and has been changed by these experiences, but feels unable to communicate the full extent of her innermost emotions.


Overall, the song is a powerful exploration of the complexities of life and the personal journeys that shape us. It is a touching, somber reflection that is sure to resonate with many listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

What a beautiful piece of heartache
This situation has a certain beauty to it despite the pain it has caused


This has all turned out to be
This situation has played out in this way


Lord knows we've learned the hard way
It is well-known that we have learned from past difficulties


All about healthy apathy
We have learned the benefits of not letting our emotions take over us


I use these words pretty loosely
I'm not very precise with my language


There's so much more to life than words
Life is more than just words and language


There is a me you would not recognize, dear
I've gone through changes that have altered my personality


Call it the shadow of myself
I feel like a different version of myself


And if the music starts before I get there
If things begin happening before I arrive


Dance without me, you dance so gracefully
Keep going without me, you are handling things beautifully


I really think I'll be okay
I believe that I will be fine despite any difficulties


They've taken a toll, these latter days
These recent days have caused a lot of damage and distress


Nothing like sleeping on a bed of nails
Life can be very difficult and painful


Nothing much here but our broken dream
All we have is our dream that hasn't worked out


Oh, but baby, if all else fails
If everything else goes wrong


Nothing is ever quite what it seems
Things are often not as they appear


And I'm dying inside to leave you
I want to move on and leave you behind but it hurts me


With more than just cliches
I want to express myself more authentically


Tell them it's real
Let others know that what has happened is true


Tell them it's really real
Emphasize that it is absolutely true


I just don't have much left to say
I have already said as much as I can


They've taken their toll, these latter days
These recent days have caused a lot of damage and distress


They've taken their toll, these latter days
These recent days have caused a lot of damage and distress




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LINFORD JEROME DETWEILER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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