For Your Lover Give Some Time
Richard Hawley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave a gift that almost took your breath away
But to be honest, I nearly left it on the train
For your lover give some time
You talk forever on the phone
To your mother and with my thoughts I'm left alone
Now and then I think how strange our love has grown
I will give up these cigarettes
Stay at home and watch you mend a tear in your dress
Have your name in a rose tattooed across my chest
And be your lover for all time
Maybe I will drink a little less
Come home early and not complain about the day
And give you flowers from the graveyard now and then
For your lover give some time
I think of places that I've seen
A skipping stone across the ocean I have been
A rootless man with no one else to share my dreams
And for my lover gave no time
Here's a toast to you, Helene
To all the cinemas we ran in from the rain
Laughing, clutching soaking newspapers to your face
And for your love you gave some time
I will give up these cigarettes
Stay at home and watch you mend the tears in your dress
Have your name in a rose tattooed across my chest
And be your lover for all time
Maybe I will drink a little less
Come home early and not complain about the day
And give you flowers from the graveyard now and then
And for my lover give some time
For your lover give some time
The song For Your Lover Give Some Time by Richard Hawley is essentially about a man who acknowledges his own flaws and shortcomings in his relationship with his lover. The opening lines reveal that the man almost forgot about the present he bought for his partner, but the gift was enough to leave her breathless. He further admits that he struggles with staying attentive during her long phone conversations, and he often feels alone with his thoughts. Despite these flaws, he expresses a desire to improve himself for the sake of his lover. He pledges to quit smoking, be more present for her, get a tattoo with her name on his chest, and offer her small tokens of affection.
The song seems to be a reflection on the compromises and sacrifices that come with being in love. Hawley's lyrics paint a picture of a man who is willing to change himself to meet the needs of the woman he loves. He recognizes that love requires effort and time, and he's willing to put in both to make their relationship work. The song's melody is tender and nostalgic, adding to the sense of longing and devotion in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
It was your birthday yesterday
Acknowledging that it was the person's birthday yesterday
I gave a gift that almost took your breath away
Expressing satisfaction for giving a gift that was well-received
But to be honest, I nearly left it on the train
Admitting that there was some carelessness involved in almost losing the gift
For your lover give some time
An overall message to take time for one's lover
You talk forever on the phone
Observing that the person talks a lot on the phone
To your mother and with my thoughts I'm left alone
Reflecting on feeling left out when the person talks to their mother
Now and then I think how strange our love has grown
Contemplating the changes in the relationship
I will give up these cigarettes
Making a commitment to quit smoking
Stay at home and watch you mend a tear in your dress
Describing a romantic moment of watching the person fix their clothing
Have your name in a rose tattooed across my chest
Expressing love and devotion through body art
And be your lover for all time
Pledging to love the person forever
Maybe I will drink a little less
Considering cutting back on alcohol consumption
Come home early and not complain about the day
Planning to be more present and positive in the relationship
And give you flowers from the graveyard now and then
Bringing the person flowers from a cemetery as a romantic gesture
I think of places that I've seen
Recalling past experiences and travels
A skipping stone across the ocean I have been
Describing a specific travel experience
A rootless man with no one else to share my dreams
Feeling alone and disconnected from others
And for my lover gave no time
Admitting to neglecting the person in the past
Here's a toast to you, Helene
Making a toast to the person being addressed, Helene
To all the cinemas we ran in from the rain
Remembering shared experiences of seeking refuge in movie theaters during rainstorms
Laughing, clutching soaking newspapers to your face
Describing a specific memory of being together during a rainstorm
And for your love you gave some time
Acknowledging and appreciating the person's past investments in the relationship
For your lover give some time
Repeating the overall message to take time for one's lover
Contributed by Alexander W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.