If
The Machine Perform Pink Floyd Lyrics

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If I were a swan, I'd be gone.
If I were a train, I'd be late.
And if I were a good man,
I'd talk to you
More often than I do.
If I were to sleep, I could dream.
If I were afraid, I could hide.
If I go insane, please don't put

Your wires in my brain.
If I were the moon, I'd be cool.
If I were to rule, I would bend.
If I were a good man, I'd understand
The spaces between friends.
If I were alone, I would cry.
And if I were with you, I'd be home and dry.
And if I go insane,
Will you still let me join in the game?
If I were a swan, I'd be gone.
If I were a train, I'd be late again.
If I were a good man,

I'd talk with you
More often than I do.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pink Floyd's song "If" are a meditation on the nature of identity and the limitations that come with it. The singer muses on the many different possibilities of being, wondering what it would be like to be a swan or a train, imagining what it would be like to rule or to dream. At the same time, the singer recognizes the constraints of his own identity, noting that if he were a good man he would talk to the addressee more often and that if he were alone he would cry. The final lines of the song are a plea for inclusion, a desire to join in the game even if he were to go insane.

One of the most striking things about the lyrics to "If" is their open-endedness. The song poses more questions than it answers, leaving the listener to consider the many different possibilities of being and of relationship. The fact that the singer is identified only as "I" also contributes to this sense of ambiguity, as it allows the listener to project their own experiences and emotions onto the words.

Another interesting aspect of the song is its use of conditional statements. By framing each line with "If I were...", the song emphasizes the hypothetical nature of each possibility, suggesting that the singer is not satisfied with his current lot in life and is searching for an alternative.

Line by Line Meaning

If I were a swan, I'd be gone.
If I were graceful and beautiful, I would leave and not stay in this world.

If I were a train, I'd be late.
If I were dependable and efficient, I would still struggle to keep up with the pace of life.

And if I were a good man, I'd talk to you More often than I do.
If I were truly virtuous, I would prioritize communication and connection with others.

If I were to sleep, I could dream.
If I were to rest and let my mind wander, I could generate imaginative thoughts and ideas.

If I were afraid, I could hide.
If I were frightened, I could attempt to escape and conceal myself.

If I go insane, please don't put Your wires in my brain.
If I lose my sanity, please do not attempt to control or manipulate me.

If I were the moon, I'd be cool.
If I were the celestial body that orbits earth, I would be calm and collected in nature.

If I were to rule, I would bend.
If I were the ultimate authority, I would be willing to accommodate and adapt to those under my power.

If I were a good man, I'd understand The spaces between friends.
If I were a truly good person, I would be capable of empathizing with the complexities of friendship and distance.

If I were alone, I would cry.
If I were left in solitude, I would feel sad and emotional.

And if I were with you, I'd be home and dry.
If I were in your company, I would feel fully comfortable and secure.

And if I go insane, Will you still let me join in the game?
Even if I were to lose my sanity, would you still accept and include me in life's experiences?

If I were a swan, I'd be gone.
If I were graceful and beautiful, I would leave and not stay in this world.

If I were a train, I'd be late again.
If I were dependable and efficient, I would still struggle to keep up with the pace of life.

If I were a good man, I'd talk with you More often than I do.
If I were truly virtuous, I would prioritize communication and connection with others.

Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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