The Nest
Sons and Daughters Lyrics


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Everything that happened here
Cannot happen when you're dead, she safely said
Worry when you wake tonight
Is it all in your head?

So you want to run, deny
No time to sit and rest or re-address
All that comes to you
When you're picturing the nest

And he never understands, that the photo in the drawer
Is all you're looking for
Blue to gray, then back again
Watch the fading paper wall

Scratching at the window glass
Trees along the ledge, are they in your head?
Creepers beat, beat, beat tonight
Picturing the nest

The sight at sixteen
Of the son she never had
Once she had a dream
Of the ones she'll never have

Your ending, your ending
Your ending, your ending

You're only half a person now
So fold over what is left to be addressed
What you want when you wake tonight
Is it all in your head?

So you turn over, lie
Cradling this perfect mess, this home-made dress
You've seen what comes to those
Who put a picture in the nest

The sight at sixteen
Of the one she'll never have
Once she had a dream
Of the son she'll never have

Your ending, your ending
Your ending, your ending

The sight at sixteen
Of the ones she'll never have
Once she had a dream
Of the son she'll never have





Your ending, your ending
Your ending, your ending

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sons and Daughters' song The Nest is an exploration of mortality, loss, and the lingering memories of past dreams. The opening lines, "Everything that happened here/Cannot happen when you're dead, she safely said/Worry when you wake tonight/Is it all in your head?" sets the tone for the rest of the song. It speaks of the inevitability of death and how it changes our perspective on life. The singer is urged to deny their thoughts and feelings, to keep moving and avoid the pain of accepting what has already happened.


As the song builds, we hear about the "photo in the drawer," a memento of a past that can no longer be retrieved. The "fading paper wall" is a metaphor for the fragility of memories, as they lose shape and form over time. The last verse is a heartbreaking contemplation of missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams: "Once she had a dream/Of the ones she'll never have." It's a poignant reminder that life is fleeting and we need to cherish what we have while we can.


Overall, The Nest is a beautifully haunting song that captures the fragility of life and the pain of loss. It's a song that reminds us to appreciate what we have while we can, and to hold onto the memories that we cherish.


Line by Line Meaning

Everything that happened here
Reflecting on past experiences


Cannot happen when you're dead, she safely said
Assuming that the past is behind and gone


Worry when you wake tonight
Anxiety and fear creeping up


Is it all in your head?
Questioning the validity of one's thoughts


So you want to run, deny
Avoiding confrontations and problems


No time to sit and rest or re-address
Ignoring the need to reflect and change


All that comes to you
Memories and thoughts that resurface


When you're picturing the nest
Thinking of a safe and happy place


And he never understands, that the photo in the drawer
Communication breakdown in a relationship


Is all you're looking for
Nostalgia and longing for the past


Blue to gray, then back again
Depression and instability


Watch the fading paper wall
Observing the deterioration of things


Scratching at the window glass
Fear of the unknown outside world


Trees along the ledge, are they in your head?
Doubting one's own perception and reality


Creepers beat, beat, beat tonight
Heartbeat and anxiety


The sight at sixteen
A moment in the past


Of the son she never had
Regret and unfulfilled desire


Once she had a dream
Hope and aspirations


Of the ones she'll never have
Resignation and acceptance of loss


Your ending, your ending
The inevitable conclusion


You're only half a person now
Loss and grief leading to emptiness


So fold over what is left to be addressed
Focusing on what remains and needs attention


What you want when you wake tonight
Longing and desire


Is it all in your head?
Repeating the same question


So you turn over, lie
Giving in to exhaustion and fatigue


Cradling this perfect mess, this home-made dress
Finding comfort in chaos


You've seen what comes to those
Learning from others' mistakes


Who put a picture in the nest
Creating a romanticized version of the past


The sight at sixteen
Revisiting the same moment


Of the one she'll never have
The same pain and regret


The sight at sixteen
The moment that defined everything


Of the ones she'll never have
The loss that shaped everything


Your ending, your ending
The end of the journey


Your ending, your ending
The end of the journey




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: ADELE LOUISE BETHEL, AILIDH LENNON, DAVID IAN ALEXANDER GOW, SCOTT PATERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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