Old And Wise
The Alan Parsons Project Lyrics
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There are Shadows approaching me
And to those I left behind
I wanted you to Know
You've always shared my deepest thoughts
You follow where I go
And oh when I'm old and wise
Autumn Winds will blow right through me
And someday in the mist of time
When they asked me if I knew you
I'd smile and say you were a friend of mine
And the sadness would be Lifted from my eyes
Oh when I'm old and wise
As far as my Eyes can see
There are shadows surrounding me
And to those I leave behind
I want you all to know
You've always Shared my darkest hours
I'll miss you when I go
And oh, when I'm old and wise
Heavy words that tossed and blew me
Like Autumn winds that will blow right through me
And someday in the mist of time
When they ask you if you knew me
Remember that You were a friend of mine
As the final curtain falls before my eyes
Oh when I'm Old and wise
As far as my eyes can see
, the singer is reflecting on their life and approaching old age. They see shadows approaching them, perhaps representing the inevitability of death or the trials and struggles of life catching up to them. The singer thinks of those they have left behind and wants them to know that they have always been a part of their thoughts and journey. They may physically leave people behind, but they carry their memories and connections with them always. In the chorus, the singer speaks of how, when they are old and wise, bitter words will mean little to them. They will have gained perspective and the ability to let go of negativity. The autumn winds blowing through them may represent the fleeting nature of life and how everything passes by quickly. The singer envisions a time when they will be asked about people from their past and will proudly say that they were friends with those they left behind, and the sadness they carried for so long will finally be lifted from their eyes.
In the second verse, the singer again sees shadows surrounding them but thinks of those they are leaving behind. They want those people to know that they have been there for them during their darkest hours and that they will be missed when the singer is gone. The chorus is sung again, speaking of heavy words that have affected the singer during their life. They have been tossed and blown by them like the autumn winds, yet they will continue to move forward. The singer sees a time when people will ask about them and hope that those they left behind will remember them as a friend. As the final curtain falls before their eyes, the singer will once again feel that sense of calm and acceptance that comes with wisdom and age.
Line by Line Meaning
As far as my eyes can see
To the best of my sight abilities
There are shadows approaching me
There is a sense of darkness and negativity closing in on me
And to those I left behind
To the people whom I have departed from
I wanted you to know
It is important for me to communicate this to you
You've always shared my deepest thoughts
You have had access to my most intimate ideas and feelings
You follow where I go
You have accompanied me throughout my journeys
And oh when I'm old and wise
When I reach a point of advanced age and sophistication
Bitter words mean little to me
Critical comments and negativity don't affect me in the same way
Autumn Winds will blow right through me
I will be consumed by the natural flow of life
And someday in the mist of time
At some point in the future, when things are less clear
When they asked me if I knew you
When people inquire about whether I had a connection with you
I'd smile and say you were a friend of mine
I would express positively about our relationship
And the sadness would be lifted from my eyes
I would become freed from any negative emotions associated with the topic
Oh when I'm old and wise
The recurring phrase emphasizing the central theme of the song
As far as my Eyes can see
To the best of my sight abilities
There are shadows surrounding me
There is an all-around sense of darkness and negativity
And to those I leave behind
To the people whom I will depart from
I want you all to know
It is important for me to communicate this to everyone
You've always Shared my darkest hours
You have been there for me during my most challenging moments
I'll miss you when I go
I will feel a sense of loss and sadness when I leave
And oh, when I'm old and wise
Another repetition of the central theme and tone of the song
Heavy words that tossed and blew me
Stinging statements that had a powerful effect on me
Like Autumn winds that will blow right through me
Seemingly unstoppable and uncontainable forces beyond my control
And someday in the mist of time
At some ambiguous moment in the future
When they ask you if you knew me
If someone inquires about our connection
Remember that You were a friend of mine
Hold onto the positive memories and message of our relationship
As the final curtain falls before my eyes
As my time on earth comes to an end
Oh when I'm Old and wise
Final repetition of the song's central theme and mood
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alan Parsons, Eric Woolfson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@superjody56
I am now 74 and the last remaining member of my family. More meaningful now.
@curtisk2286
Where u at?
I'm in MI
@scarletlovins6212
wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be rewarded in our experience and wisdom, and continue on, living happier and better lives with our families and friends and loved ones, long into our old age? Sometimes I wonder, if there is a heaven, would it send you back to the place where you were happiest, with the people that you have missed so much. Sometimes I hope to find myself hanging on to the rail on the back of my dad's work truck as he takes me and my sister and some of our friends out to go fishing. This would be back in the seventies. We were hanging on the rail so we wouldn't fall out of the back of that truck, and as we passed a police car there would be kids flopping in the breeze as the truck made its way down the highway, toward the country parts between towns, where many creeks, shaded by trees, were there to be found, full of fish who had wisened up and knew better than to go anywhere near our hooks. The policeman would merely wave as my dad drove by, for it was a different time. A time when everyone was still there for us to hug and say I love you, and hear it back.
@superjody56
I've been to places just like that when I grew up in central Texas. You described it very well. 👍🏻
@philoza1000
@@scarletlovins6212That's so touching ❤
@jlsredd8275
I'm in my 60s and battling cancer. This song has so much meaning for me
@victorsandall3073
I'm with you there, prostate cancer stage 4, diagnosed February 2022, on steroids and wearing a catheter - bit of a life changer. 'Time' flowing like a river ( https://youtu.be/I_TtfzxvGwA ).
@Ihabyassin94
God bless you
@hectordomingotroncoso3047
Fight,and fight!,My friend,take yor sword, Say a pray ,and go forth
@natsrun2329
I wish for you healing and peace