Left Behind
Spring Awakening [Original Broadway Cast] Lyrics
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You fold his hands and smooth his tie, you gently lift his chin
Were you really so blind and unkind to him?
Can't help the itch to touch, to kiss, to hold him once again
Now to close his eyes, never open them
A shadow passed, a shadow passed
Yearning, yearning for the fool it called a home
All the things his Mama wished he'd bear in mind
And all his Dad had hoped he'd know
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
The talks you never had, the Saturdays you never spent
All the grown-up places you never went
And all of the crying you wouldn't understand
You just let him cry, make a man out of him
A shadow passed, a shadow passed
Yearning, yearning for the fool it called a home
All things he ever wished are left behind
All the things his Mama did to make him mind
And how his Dad had hoped he'd grow
All things he ever lived are left behind
All the fears that ever flickered through his mind
All the sadness that he'd come to own
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
A shadow passed, a shadow passed
Yearning, yearning for the fool it called a home
And it whistles through the ghosts still left behind
It whistles through the ghosts still left behind
It whistles through the ghosts still left behind
Oh, oh
"Left Behind" by Spring Awakening is a heartbreaking song that is sung by Melchior, one of the main characters in the musical. The song is a reflection of Melchior's thoughts and emotions after discovering that his friend Moritz has committed suicide. Melchior is grieving and regrets not having done more to help his friend, as the lyrics suggest. The first verse expresses Melchior's sorrow and regret in gentle, emotional words. When he says, "Can't help the itch to touch, to kiss, to hold him once again," he is expressing a physical longing to undo the tragedy that has occurred. Melchior wishes that he could go back in time and do things differently, so that his friend would still be alive.
The second verse speaks to the pain of loss, the "all things" that have been left behind, and the "shadow" that has passed. Melchior mentions the "grown-up places" that Moritz never got to experience, the talks they never had, and the Saturdays they never spent together. He remembers the crying, and how he was told to "make a man out of him" instead of comforting or supporting him. The refrain repeats the phrase "a shadow passed" and speaks to the yearning for a home that is now lost.
Overall, "Left Behind" is a deeply emotional and poignant song about loss, regret, and grief. The lyrics convey Melchior's struggle to come to terms with what has happened, and the pain that comes with mourning someone you love.
Line by Line Meaning
You fold his hands and smooth his tie, you gently lift his chin
You take care of his body one last time, showing him the respect he deserves in death
Were you really so blind and unkind to him?
Did you fail to see or appreciate him while he was alive?
Can't help the itch to touch, to kiss, to hold him once again
You long to have him back, to love him again despite his death
Now to close his eyes, never open them
It's time to say goodbye, to let him rest in peace
All things he never did are left behind
He missed out on so much in life, so many experiences
All the things his Mama wished he'd bear in mind
His mother had hopes and dreams for him, but he didn't fulfill them
And all his Dad had hoped he'd know
His father had expectations for him, but he never met them either
The talks you never had, the Saturdays you never spent
You missed out on so many opportunities to bond with him
All the grown-up places you never went
He never got to experience the world as an adult
And all of the crying you wouldn't understand
You didn't recognize or empathize with his emotional struggles
You just let him cry, make a man out of him
You thought forcing him to be tough would benefit him, but it only hurt him more
All things he ever wished are left behind
He had hopes and dreams for his future, but they will never come to fruition
All the things his Mama did to make him mind
His mother tried to guide him and shape him, but he didn't listen
And how his Dad had hoped he'd grow
His father had a vision for his son's future, but it will never come true
All things he ever lived are left behind
His entire life is over, and he can't take anything with him
All the fears that ever flickered through his mind
He had worries and anxieties that now mean nothing
All the sadness that he'd come to own
He carried a heavy burden of sadness and pain, but it's no longer his to bear
And it whistles through the ghosts still left behind
His memory lingers on, haunting those who loved him and wish he was still here
It whistles through the ghosts still left behind
His absence is felt by everyone he knew and loved
It whistles through the ghosts still left behind
Even after he's gone, his presence is still felt and remembered
Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.