This One
Paul McCartney(Boot) Lyrics


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Did I ever take you in my arms,
Look you in the eye, tell you that I do,
Did I ever open up my heart
And let you look inside.

If I never did it, I was only waiting
For a better moment that didn't come.
There never could be a better moment
Than this one, this one.

The swan is gliding above the ocean,
A god is riding upon his back,
How calm the water and bright the rainbow
Fade this one to black.

Did I ever touch you on the cheek
Say that you were mine, thank you for the smile,
Did I ever knock upon your door
And try to get inside?

If I never did it, I was only waiting
For a better moment that didn't come.
There never could be a better moment
Than this one, this one.

The swan is gliding above the ocean,
A god is riding upon his back,
How calm the water and bright the rainbow
Fade this swan to black.

What opportunities did we allow to flow by
Feeling like like the timing wasn't quite right?
What kind of magic might have worked if we had stayed calm,
Couldn't I have given you a better life?

Did you ever take me in your arms,
Look me in the eye, tell me that you do?
Did I ever open up my heart,
Let you look inside?

If I never did it, I was only waiting
For a better moment that didn't come.
There never could be a better moment
Than this one, this one.

The swan is gliding above the ocean,
A god is riding upon his back,




How calm the water and bright the rainbow
Fade this swan to black

Overall Meaning

Dear Paul McCartney,


The lyrics to your song "This One" are a beautifully expressed sentiment about missed opportunities and the importance of seizing the present moment. The rhetorical questions asked throughout the song invite introspection and reflection on what could have been had we not waited for a "better moment" to come. The vivid imagery of the swan gliding above the ocean and a god riding upon its back elegantly reflects the ethereal quality of fleeting moments.


The lyrics also speak to the regret that comes from not fully expressing oneself or taking risks in one's relationships. The question "couldn't I have given you a better life?" is a poignant reflection of the realization that we can't rewrite the past - that we missed our chance to make a difference.


Overall, "This One" is a heartfelt exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the power of the present moment. It is a reminder to seize opportunities when they come our way and to be fully present and engaged in our relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Did I ever take you in my arms,
Did I ever embrace you with my arms?


Look you in the eye, tell you that I do,
Did I ever look into your eyes and confess my feelings for you?


Did I ever open up my heart
Did I ever disclose my deepest emotions


And let you look inside.
And let you see the real me?


If I never did it, I was only waiting
If I didn't, it was because I was waiting for the perfect moment to do so.


For a better moment that didn't come.
However, that moment didn't arrive, and I missed the opportunity.


There never could be a better moment
Because there's no better moment than now.


Than this one, this one.
This moment, right here and now, is the perfect moment to show you my love.


The swan is gliding above the ocean,
A beautiful and graceful swan is floating gently above the vast sea,


A god is riding upon his back,
while a divine being is sitting on its back,


How calm the water and bright the rainbow
The water is still and peaceful, and a bright rainbow shines in the sky.


Fade this one to black.
But even this perfect moment will come to an end, like everything else.


What opportunities did we allow to flow by
What chances did we let slip away?


Feeling like the timing wasn't quite right?
Thinking that the moment wasn't appropriate yet?


What kind of magic might have worked if we had stayed calm,
What wonderful things might have happened if we had remained calm and patient?


Couldn't I have given you a better life?
Couldn't I have made your life better?


Did you ever take me in your arms,
Did you ever hold me tight?


Look me in the eye, tell me that you do?
Look into my eyes and tell me you love me?


Did I ever open up my heart,
Did I ever reveal my deepest feelings?


Let you look inside?
And let you see who I truly am?


Fade this swan to black.
Just like the perfect moment that fades away, everything in this world is fleeting and temporary.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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