For the Ages
Paul Kelly Lyrics


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Darling, you're one for the ages
I'm glad you live here in mine
Your face and figure belong
To centuries been and gone
Those Renaissance and Roman times

Darling, you're one for the ages
Long may you live in my rhyme
The years will cut us down
But they won't keep us in the ground
Out of the grave we'll climb

Darling, you're one for the ages
You'll never go out of style
You walked into the ball
Dressed by St Vincent de Paul
With that shy, serious smile

Darling, you're one for the ages
Your beauty suits every clime
There's a mystery deep within
And in the light upon your skin
I could study for all time

Darling, you're one for the ages
Darling, you're one for the ages
Darling, you're one for the ages




Darling, you're one for the ages
Well, darling, you're one for the ages

Overall Meaning

In the song "For the Ages," Paul Kelly praises his lover for being a timeless beauty that transcends generations. He acknowledges the fact that their time on earth is limited, but believes that their love will continue beyond the physical realm. Kelly draws inspiration from past eras, referring to his lover's "face and figure" belonging "to centuries been and gone." He compares her to the classic beauties of Renaissance and Roman times, emphasizing that her allure is not restricted to any particular time or place. While his lover may dress in secondhand clothes (by St. Vincent de Paul), and wear a shy and serious smile, Kelly finds her mystery and grace endlessly captivating. The repeated chorus, "Darling, you're one for the ages," reinforces the idea that his lover is not just a fleeting beauty but an enduring one that will stand the test of time.


Through "For the Ages," Paul Kelly explores the concept of timeless love amidst the ephemeral nature of existence. He uses imagery from different historical periods to convey the universality of his lover's beauty. He also acknowledges that death is inevitable, but he believes in the permanence of their love. His use of repetition in the chorus emphasizes that his lover's appeal is not temporary.


Line by Line Meaning

Darling, you're one for the ages
My beloved, you possess a timeless quality that will last throughout eternity.


I'm glad you live here in mine
I'm fortunate to have you in my life to share your love and your essence with me.


Your face and figure belong
Your physical appearance aligns with the depictions of beauty throughout humanity's history.


To centuries been and gone
Your appearance could easily fit into a bygone era and still be considered beautiful.


Those Renaissance and Roman times
Your looks would have been celebrated in the classical era and the times of Michelangelo.


Long may you live in my rhyme
May your essence and your beauty forever be immortalized through the words of my love songs.


The years will cut us down
Time is merciless in its hunt for our lives and will eventually bring us to our end.


But they won't keep us in the ground
Even in death, our love will transcend and we will continue to exist in the spiritual realm.


Out of the grave we'll climb
Our love is too powerful to be limited by our physical bodies and has the power to transcend death.


You'll never go out of style
Your beauty is timeless and will never be out of fashion or lose its appeal.


You walked into the ball
You entered the room with an air of grace and poise.


Dressed by St Vincent de Paul
Your outfit was modest and humble, but your beauty still shone through.


With that shy, serious smile
Your bashful but sincere smile added to the beauty that you possess.


There's a mystery deep within
There is an inexplicable enigmatic quality to your being that fascinates and intoxicates me.


And in the light upon your skin
The radiance of your skin is enchanting and has a captivating effect on me.


I could study for all time
I could spend forever admiring and studying the qualities that make you a timeless beauty.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dan Kelly, Paul Maurice Kelly

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@otherguy314

this song made me inexplicably nostalgic

@nickcoendoz1247

2 of my favourite artists are Counterparts and Paul Kelly. Worlds apart but you've had both in for sessions. Great work!

@MrAnhedonic

Singing this for my bride at our wedding.

@petethescalemodeller6130

does anyone know the chords beautiful song Paul ty :)

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