O Do Not Forsake Me
They Might Be Giants Lyrics


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Oh, do not forsake me, my indolent friends
Oh, do not forsake me though you know I must spend
All my darkest hours talking like this
For I am one thousand years old

One thousand years old
Sure, you think that's old
One thousand years old
But what do you know?
In my darkest hour I'm talking like this
For I am one thousand years old

Oh, some have forgotten the flower of speech
And walks through the garden where I go to defend
Misbegotten notions while talking like this
For I am one thousand years old

One thousand years old
Sure, I'd say that's old
One thousand years old
But what do I know?





In your darkest hour, my indolent friends
We'll be one thousand years old

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to They Might Be Giants's song "O Do Not Forsake Me" are a whimsical and somewhat cryptic portrayal of aging and relationships. The singer, who claims to be one thousand years old, pleads with their "indolent friends" not to forsake them despite their unconventional way of speaking. The singer seems to feel a certain isolation due to their age and perspective, which they feel their friends may not understand or appreciate.


The repeated refrain of "One thousand years old / Sure, you think that's old / One thousand years old / But what do you know?" suggests that the singer is aware of their age being impressive but also somewhat meaningless. They are still grappling with similar struggles and insecurities as anyone else, and their friends' disregard for them only makes them feel more alone. Additionally, the line "Oh, some have forgotten the flower of speech / And walks through the garden where I go to defend / Misbegotten notions while talking like this" seems to imply that the singer feels a sense of duty to uphold or defend certain values or principles that others may have disregarded.


Overall, the song paints a vivid and surreal picture of aging and the way it can shape our perspectives and relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, do not forsake me, my indolent friends
Please do not leave me, my lazy companions


Oh, do not forsake me though you know I must spend
Even though you know I must waste time


All my darkest hours talking like this
During my saddest moments, I talk like this


For I am one thousand years old
Because I am extremely ancient


One thousand years old
Aged a millennium


Sure, you think that's old
You may believe that's ancient


One thousand years old
Aged a millennium


But what do you know?
What do you understand anyway?


In my darkest hour I'm talking like this
When I am at my lowest, I talk like this


Oh, some have forgotten the flower of speech
Some have abandoned the beauty of language


And walks through the garden where I go to defend
And walks through the garden where I shield my foolish beliefs


Misbegotten notions while talking like this
I express misguided ideas while speaking like this


For I am one thousand years old
Because I am extremely ancient


One thousand years old
Aged a millennium


Sure, I'd say that's old
Yes, that is ancient


One thousand years old
Aged a millennium


But what do I know?
What do I really comprehend anyway?


In your darkest hour, my indolent friends
During your most challenging moment, my lazy companions


We'll be one thousand years old
We'll be ancient, just like me




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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