For All We Know
Wes Montgomery & Melvin Rhyne Lyrics
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We may never meet again
Before we go
Make this moment live again
We won't say goodbye
Until the last minute
I'll hold out my hand
And my heart will be in it
For all we know
This might only be a dream
We come and we go
Like the ripples, like the ripples in the stream
So baby, love me, love me tonight
Tomorrow was made for some
Oh, but tomorrow
But tomorrow may never, never come
For all we know
Yes, tomorrow may never, never come
For all we know
The opening lyrics to Wes Montgomery's song "For All We Know" speak to the fleeting nature of life's moments and relationships. The first two lines set a tone of uncertainty -- "For all we know / We may never meet again" -- a sense that something precious may end abruptly or without warning. But rather than dwell on sorrow or fear of separation, the song's narrator urges a sense of urgency and presence in the moment, a desire to "make this moment live again."
The finality of goodbyes is a recurring theme throughout the song, but the lyrics offer a bit of hope as well. The singer won't say goodbye "until the last minute," and even then, they will hold out a hand and heart in farewell. The second verse broadens the scope to reflect on the passage of time, with a comparison to the ripples in a stream: "We come and we go / Like the ripples, like the ripples in the stream." Here, the emphasis is on the transience of human life, but the song's narrator still urges the listener to embrace the moment and the love that is available "tonight," rather than assume there will always be a "tomorrow."
The song's lyrics offer a gentle, bittersweet reflection on the impermanence of life and relationships, encouraging us to cherish the moments we have together. Montgomery's soulful guitar playing adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the song's message, creating a powerful reminder to live fully in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
For all we know
Considering the limited knowledge we have about the future
We may never meet again
It is plausible that we may not cross paths in the future
Before we go
Prior to our departure or separation
Make this moment live again
Revive this present instant
We won't say goodbye
We will avoid parting words
Until the last minute
Until the very end of our time together
I'll hold out my hand
I will offer assistance or comfort
And my heart will be in it
My emotions will be invested into that gesture
This might only be a dream
It is possible that the current situation is just an illusion
We come and we go
We exist and depart, just like the movement of water ripples
Like the ripples, like the ripples in the stream
Similar to the cyclic motion of disturbances in water
So baby, love me, love me tonight
Show affection towards me during this fleeting moment
Tomorrow was made for some
The future is reserved for certain individuals
Oh, but tomorrow
However, the future
But tomorrow may never, never come
Might not arrive as anticipated, if at all
For all we know
Considering the lack of knowledge we possess about the future
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: J Fred Coots, Samuel M Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind