My Favorite Things
Philip Catherine & Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen Lyrics

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It's a lesson
Too late for the learning
Made of sand, made of sand

In the wink
Of an eye my soul is turning
In your hand, in your hand

[Chorus]
Are you going away?
With no word of farewell
Will there be not a trace
Left behind.
Well I could have loved you better
I didn't mean to be unkind
You know, that was the last thing on my mind

You got reasons a plenty for going
This I know, this I know
For the weeds
Have been steadily growing
Please don't go, please don't go.

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The first verse of the song "My Favorite Things" by Philip Catherine and Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen tells a story of regret and the realization of what could have been. The singer acknowledges that they are learning a lesson, but it is too late to apply it as it is made of sand - something that easily crumbles and disappears. The singer's soul is turning in their hands, perhaps meaning that they have lost control of themselves and their feelings because it is too late to show the person who matters most how they truly feel.

In the chorus, the singer asks the person they care about if they are leaving with no word of farewell and wonders if there will be no trace left behind. They regret not having loved the person better and didn't mean to be unkind, but know that was the last thing on their mind at the time.

In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that the person whom they are speaking to has reasons to leave, but begs them not to go. They express that the "weeds have been steadily growing" which may mean that issues and problems have been piling up and the relationship has been neglected. Overall, the song expresses emotions of regret, love, and pleading for another chance.

Line by Line Meaning

It's a lesson
This is something that should have been learned earlier, but it's being learned now.

Too late for the learning
The lesson is being learned too late for it to be of any use.

Made of sand, made of sand
The lesson is as fragile and easily manipulated as sand.

In the wink
In an instant

Of an eye my soul is turning
My emotions are changing rapidly.

In your hand, in your hand
You have complete control over my emotions.

Are you going away?
Are you leaving?

With no word of farewell
Without saying goodbye.

Will there be not a trace
Will there be no evidence left behind?

Left behind.
Remaining after departure.

Well I could have loved you better
I acknowledge that I could have treated you better.