Routine
Steven_Wilson Lyrics
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such tiny things that still smell of them
And the footprints in the hallway
onto my knees scrub them away
And how to be of use make the tea and the soup
All of their favorites throw them away
And all their schoolbooks and the running shoes
Routine keeps me in line
Helps me pass the time
Concentrate my mind
Helps me to sleep
And keep making beds and keep the cat fed
Open the Windows let the air in
And keep the house clean and keep the routine
Paintings they make still stuck to the fridge
Keep cleaning keep ironing
Cooking their meals on the stainless steel hop
Keep washing keep scrubbing
Long until the dark comes to bruise the sky
Deep in the debt to night
Routine keeps me in line
Helps me pass the time
Helps me to sleep
Routine keeps me in line
Helps me pass the time
Helps me to sleep
The most beautiful morning forever
Like the ones from far off, far off away
With the hum of the bees in the jasmine sway
Don't ever let go
Try to let go
Don't ever let go
Try to let go
Don't ever
The lyrics of Steven Wilson's song Routine depict the heart-wrenching struggle of a person trying to cope with the loss of their children. Every task they perform seems to remind them of their children's absence as they face the daunting task of going through their children's belongings, from their tiny clothes that still bear their smell to their schoolbooks and running shoes that lay in a corner. The singer tries to keep their mind busy with daily chores like cleaning, cooking, and making beds, but even these routine tasks become unbearable as they keep reminding them of their loss. The singer tries to find solace in routine, as it helps them pass the time and concentrate their mind, but deep down, they know that nothing could fill the void left by their absence.
The song conveys a sense of helplessness, loneliness, and despair that is relatable to anyone who has gone through the trauma of losing someone close. The lines "Don't ever let go, Try to let go" perhaps signify the singer trying to hold onto the memories of their children while coming to terms with the harsh reality that they will never return.
Line by Line Meaning
What do I do with all the children's clothes
The singer wonders what to do with the clothes that belong to their deceased children.
such tiny things that still smell of them
The clothes are small and still carry the scent of the children who wore them.
And the footprints in the hallway
There are still footprints left in the hallway from the children.
onto my knees scrub them away
The artist falls to their knees to clean the footprints away.
And how to be of use make the tea and the soup
The artist is struggling with how to be useful in the wake of their children's deaths and decides to make tea and soup.
All of their favorites throw them away
They throw away the favorite possessions of their children.
And all their schoolbooks and the running shoes
They also get rid of their children's schoolbooks and running shoes.
Washing and cleaning the dirty still sink
The artist cleans the sink that their children used, even though they are no longer there.
Routine keeps me in line
Following a routine helps the artist keep control of their life after the loss of their children.
Helps me pass the time
The routine helps them get through the days and weeks.
Concentrate my mind
The routine also helps the singer focus their thoughts.
Helps me to sleep
Following a structured routine helps the artist fall asleep at night.
And keep making beds and keep the cat fed
The singer continues to take care of their home by making beds and feeding their cat.
Open the Windows let the air in
They also open the windows to let fresh air into the house.
And keep the house clean and keep the routine
The singer maintains their routine of keeping their home clean.
Paintings they make still stuck to the fridge
The artist cherishes the artwork their children made, which is still displayed on the fridge.
Keep cleaning keep ironing
The artist continues to clean and do laundry.
Cooking their meals on the stainless steel hop
The singer still cooks meals for their children, even though they are no longer there.
Keep washing keep scrubbing
The singer continues to wash and clean, trying to keep busy.
Long until the dark comes to bruise the sky
The artist continues their routine until night falls.
Deep in the debt to night
The artist feels indebted to the night, as it is a time when they can maybe find some rest.
The most beautiful morning forever
The artist wishes for a beautiful morning that will last forever.
Like the ones from far off, far off away
The singer remembers beautiful mornings from the past.
With the hum of the bees in the jasmine sway
They remember the beauty of nature and the sound of bees humming.
Don't ever let go
The singer pleads with themselves to hold on to hope.
Try to let go
At the same time, they also try to let go of their attachment to the past.
Don't ever let go
The singer repeats their plea to hold on to hope, even in difficult times.
Try to let go
They repeat their attempt to let go and move forward.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN JOHN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind