So Long Marianne
Suzanne Vega & John Cale Lyrics

Come over to the window, my little darling,
The singer invites Marianne over to the window, showing affection.

I'd like to try to read your palm.
The singer wants to get closer to Marianne and know more about her through reading her palm.

I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy
The singer once felt free and wild before meeting Marianne.

Before I let you take me home.
The artist refers to how Marianne changed his life and made him feel safe in a home-like environment.

Now so long, Marianne, it's time that we began
The artist acknowledges the end of their relationship and the need to reminisce about their good times again.

To laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again.
The singer implies their relationship had both happy and sad moments which they'll reminisce about.

Well you know that I love to live with you,
The singer is in love with Marianne and enjoys being with her.

But you make me forget so very much.
Marianne has a mesmerizing effect on the artist that makes him forget about everything else.

I forget to pray for the angels and then the angels forget to pray for us.
The artist neglects their faith when he is with Marianne, making things more helpless for them.

We met when we were almost young
The artist reminisces the youthful days of their relationship with Marianne.

Deep in the green lilac park.
The park might symbolize their love and romance.

You held on to me like I was a crucifix,
Marianne held on tightly to the artist, like a lifesaving cross would be held.

As we went kneeling through the dark.
The singer refers to the image of kneeling which might mean how Marianne has affected his beliefs and actions.

Your letters they all say that you're beside me now.
Although Marianne writes letters saying she is there for the singer, he still feels alone and lonely.

Then why do I feel alone?
The singer is wondering why he still feels alone despite Marianne's letters.

I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web
The artist feels like he's on the edge, and Marianne's love is like a spider web that ties him down and keeps him from falling deeper.

Is fastening my ankle to a stone.
The spider web is a metaphor for Marianne's love that acts as a shackle keeping the artist from moving on.

For now I need your hidden love.
The singer craves Marianne's love, though it seems to be only hidden or repressed.

I'm cold as a new razor blade.
The singer feels emotionally lost and isolated.

You left when I told you I was curious,
Marianne left when the artist expressed his curiosity and desire to explore the world.

I never said that I was brave.
The artist admits he is not courageous enough to face the unknown without Marianne.

Oh, you are really such a pretty one.
The artist admires Marianne's beauty and attractiveness.

I see you've gone and changed your name again.
The singer expresses curiosity about Marianne's life, and wonders why she keeps changing her name.

And just when I climbed this whole mountainside,
The artist has accomplished something significant, but it implies that he has encountered some hardship to achieve it.

To wash my eyelids in the rain!
The singer is relieved and refreshed after a difficult journey, washing his face in the rain.

Oh so long, Marianne, it's time that we began
The singer reiterates his sentiment that it's time for them to start anew or reminisce about their relationship.