Gone Away
The Offspring Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Maybe in another life
I could find you there
Pulled away before your time
I can't deal it's so unfair

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it feels
Yeah it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away

Leaving flowers on your grave
Show that I still care
But black roses and Hail Mary's
Can't bring back what's taken from me
I reach to the sky
And call out your name
And if I could trade
I would

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it stings
Yeah it stings now
The world is so cold
Now that you've gone away

Gone away
Gone away
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Ooh
Yeah ooh-ooh
Oh yeah

I'll save your soul
Woah, yeah, yeah

I reach to the sky
And call out your name
Oh please let me trade
I would

And it feels
And it feels like
Heaven is so far away
And it feels
Yeah, it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away

Gone away
Gone away
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Ooh
Yeah ooh-ooh
Oh yeah

Yeah ooh




Yeah ooh-ooh
Oh yeah

Overall Meaning

The Offspring's song "Gone Away" is a powerful ballad about the death of a loved one, specifically about the lead singer Dexter Holland's girlfriend who passed away in a car accident. The lyrics of the song are filled with sadness and a sense of desperation as Holland wonders if he can ever be reunited with his love again. The first and second verses talk about how Holland cannot come to terms with the fact that he can no longer see his loved one and how unfair the situation is. The chorus talks about how the world has grown cold and how it feels like Heaven is now far away. The lines "Now that you've gone away" are repeated throughout the song as a haunting reminder of his loss.


The bridge of the song is particularly poignant as Holland describes how he leaves flowers on his girlfriend's grave to show he still cares, but he knows deep down that it won't bring her back. He sings about how he reaches up to the sky to call out her name, hoping that she can hear him and that he could trade places with her in the afterlife. The chorus is repeated again, with slight variations, as Holland emphasizes the pain of losing someone and how the world has become a colder place without his loved one.


Overall, "Gone Away" is a deeply emotional song that explores themes of loss, grief, and the desire for a second chance. It is a tribute to Holland's girlfriend and a reminder to cherish the people we love as we never know when they might be taken away from us.


Line by Line Meaning

Maybe in another life
Perhaps in a parallel universe or alternate timeline


I could find you there
I could have the opportunity to locate you and be with you


Pulled away before your time
You were taken too soon, before you had the chance to experience a full life


I can't deal it's so unfair
I cannot handle it nor accept it, your untimely departure is unjust


And it feels
The emotions are so intense


And it feels like
The sensation is akin to


Heaven's so far away
The peace and comfort of your existence is beyond reach


And it feels
The emotions are so intense


Yeah it feels like
The sensation is akin to


The world has grown cold
The warmth and joy of life has disappeared along with you


Now that you've gone away
Since your departure from this world


Leaving flowers on your grave
I place flowers in your memory


Show that I still care
To demonstrate that my affection and concern for you still exists


But black roses and Hail Mary's
Even though I present black roses and recite Hail Mary prayers


Can't bring back what's taken from me
It is impossible to regain what was stolen from me, which is you


I reach to the sky
I extend my arms to the heavens


And call out your name
I invoke your name, hoping that you will hear it wherever you may be


And if I could trade
If it were possible for me to make a transaction


I would
I would give up something in exchange for your life


And it stings
The pain is excruciating


Now that you've gone away
Since you have departed from this world


Gone away
Left without the chance to say goodbye


Gone away
Taken from this world prematurely


Woah, yeah, yeah
An expression of agony, pain, and sorrow


Oh please let me trade
Hoping for the possibility to give something up in exchange for your return




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bryan Holland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@devilshoez1098

For those not in the know....
Bryan 'Dexter' Holland's gf/fiance/psuedo-wife(Mother to his daughter Alexa, currently a jazz musician who goes by Lex Land)died in a car accident in 1996. He wrote this song within weeks of that tragedy and it was added to The Offspring's 1997 album 'Ixnay On The Hombre'.
Bryan earned his PhD in molecular biology from USC in 2017. He wrote his thesis on molecular HIV science.
Bryan created his own hot sauce, Gringo Bandito, which is still available, including 10 special editions.
Bryan has an estimated net worth of $65-$70 million dollars due mostly to his entreprenurial efforts(and yes the band)
Speaking of the band, they are still hoping for a 2020 release of THEIR NEW ALBUM!! Their 10th, produced alongside Bob Rock.


To everyone here who has also lost someone, my condolences to you. This song, this band, proves it's ok to feel every emotion necessary to help us get through the most difficult events of loss. You're not alone.



@justgainwme

"Gone Away"
Maybe in another life
I could find you there
Pulled away before your time
I can't deal, it's so unfair
And it feels, and it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it feels, yeah, it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away
Leaving flowers on your grave
To show that I still care
Black roses and Hail Mary's
Can't bring back what's taken from me
I reach to the sky
And call on your name
And if I could trade, I would
And it feels, and it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it stings, and it stings now
The world is so cold
Now that you've gone away
Now that you've gone away
I reach to the sky
And call on your name
And if I could trade, I would
And it feels, and it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it feels, yeah, it feels like
The world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away



All comments from YouTube:

@gioescarro2839

Anyone March 2024?

@thestingingray114

Me!

@LennHuaman

Yeah

@buchobucho7856

Yo

@jordanlaclair9272

here

@Vale8921

yep

39 More Replies...

@darrelsenior1150

Lost my wife many years ago to cancer, 2 kids in gradeschool, she was a warm soul with great intellect and beauty. I used to scream tears at this song while driving in my car and would wipe my face and show up home with a happy face knowing that my kids were doing better day by day. It was especially true because "if I could trade I would" was something I'd have done and that's as much love as there is I reckon. All said, they're in their 20's now and doing well, we are all close and set to vacation together next month. We take at least a day a week to meet on-line separated by distance and spend a couple hours together. Credit to the grandparents and other family members that all helped heal the wound with time and love. I was always grateful that they got the years they did with her. Be grateful for what you got. Simple, cliche, true. Love to all.

@gregm652

Your strength is an inspiration and Thank you for sharing this. Your story is more healing then you can know.

@debhoots1477

So true bro! I think ALL of us who lost someone special sang to the top of our lungs while driving to this great song. My sister is going to their concert tonight in Costa Mesa, CA at the OC Fair 2022. They say that you heal in time, but I think that you just learn to live without them. The grief and pain never go away no matter how many years pass. God bless you and wishing you a fabulous vaycay with the 20 year olds!!

@geo3075

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