If By Morning
The Pines Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My bell tower's ringing but it isn't you singing
we don't know that song anymore
and winter bones breaking if it ain't shook it's shaking
this tangle of fate outside my door

Oh threadbare in peril this cold christmas carol
we jump from the bridge in our mind
it's one for the money, at two you go hungry
my blue shoes are draggin the line

Leave a lantern, on the trail
I'm not asking for much just your meadowsweet touch
If by morning you're ready to sail
don't wait for so long cause you know that I'm gone

You can lock up your treasure and take drastic measures
we march toward the grave all the same
it's a short life of trouble your church turns to rubble
and beauty has never had a name

well my head's in your branches, I squandered my chances
I've given the last I can give
this empire's falling the pace is appalling
how can a poor man stand such time and live

So leave a lantern on the trail
I'm not asking for much just your meadowsweet touch




If by morning you're ready to sail
don't wait for so long cause you know that I'm gone

Overall Meaning

The Pines's song If By Morning is a poignant exploration of the fragility and transience of life, the longing for human connection, and the acceptance of fate. The first stanza sets the tone by creating an atmosphere of desolation and dislocation. The bell tower is ringing but not with the familiar song of a loved one's voice. Instead, there is an unfamiliar tune that highlights the sense of estrangement and disorientation. The mention of "winter bones breaking" suggests the vulnerability of life and how easily it can be snuffed out. The "tangle of fate" outside the door is symbolic of the complex web of chance and circumstance that determines the course of our lives.


As the song progresses, the chorus emerges as a plea for companionship and understanding. The phrase "leave a lantern on the trail" embodies the hope of finding a guiding light amid the darkness of life. The request for "your meadowsweet touch" is a metaphor for the comfort and solace that comes from being in the presence of a loved one. The repetition of the refrain "If by morning you're ready to sail, don't wait for so long cause you know that I'm gone" emphasizes the urgency of seizing the moment and not letting opportunities for connection slip away.


Overall, If By Morning is a haunting and poignant meditation on the human condition. It speaks to our shared experience of love, loss, and the fleetingness of life, and reminds us that even in the face of adversity and uncertainty, there is always hope for connection and understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

My bell tower's ringing but it isn't you singing
I hear something familiar, but it's not you. Our song faded away.


we don't know that song anymore
Our love and connection are lost in time, and it's fading away.


and winter bones breaking if it ain't shook it's shaking
The cold is brutal, and it's getting worse with time.


this tangle of fate outside my door
Destiny feels complicated and twisted, and it's affecting me.


Oh threadbare in peril this cold Christmas carol
I'm fragile, and this holiday's gloominess makes it worse.


we jump from the bridge in our mind
Our imaginations let us escape from our struggles and reality.


it's one for the money, at two you go hungry
We're going through economic hardship, and we barely make ends meet.


my blue shoes are draggin the line
I'm walking slow and barely keeping up with life.


Leave a lantern, on the trail
Guide me back to you, let me follow your light and love.


I'm not asking for much just your meadowsweet touch
I long for your gentle, sweet presence, and nothing else brings me joy.


If by morning you're ready to sail
If you're prepared to move on without me, don't hesitate to go.


don't wait for so long cause you know that I'm gone
Don't postpone your next steps, I know I won't be around anymore.


You can lock up your treasure and take drastic measures
You can protect and hoard your valuables, but life will still proceed.


we march toward the grave all the same
Regardless of our choices and struggles, we're all living towards death.


it's a short life of trouble your church turns to rubble
Life is full of chaos, and we can't count on any form of stability.


and beauty has never had a name
We can experience beauty in every moment, but we can't describe it.


well my head's in your branches, I squandered my chances
I regret missing my opportunities to be close to you, my love.


I've given the last I can give
I've pushed myself to the limit, and there's nothing else I can do for us.


this empire's falling the pace is appalling
Our love is crumbling and falling apart, and it's happening quickly.


how can a poor man stand such time and live
I'm struggling to keep my head up and survive these challenging times.




Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

PhysStud2011

There's something so soothing, relaxing and almost ethereal about this song. It makes me want to take a long drive through the desert on a warm summer evening.

torre0714

Beautiful!

delgadillo29

Ok i heard this at starbucks, SO AMAZING!!! and yes his voice reminds me of dylans raspy voice. Dylan and Tiger Army fused as one...not the voices the music all together

Angie Sigmon

Po. O

arnonelcasey

two words: Bob Dylan oh, and one more: BEAUTIFUL

flatron7000

Super muziek ! Wil ik live aanhoren op een zomerse avond...Maar waar?

delgadillo29

Heard this song at starbucks...I guess that coffee shop isn't so bad haha

Barry Maynard

 Try kayaking. Freakin' awesome

More Versions