She is best known for her Christmas song "No Christmas for me", which became a YouTube success in 2007. Zee Avi on this song: “This song was inspired by everything i’ve experienced/read/watched/heard of from movies or stories, about one’s lover being far away for Christmas, be it serving in the army, college, another country, peace corps etc… In a way, it’s also about not losing hope. (…) The words in this one are simple and direct. (…) I stayed with the ‘silent movie feel’ as i think it suits the song.”
Zee Avi's debut album 'Zee Avi' was released May 19, 2009.
Tomorrow Is A Long Time
Zee Avi Lyrics
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If tonight was not a crooked trail,
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time,
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
Only if she was lyin' by me,
Then I'd lie in my bed once again.
I can't see my reflection in the waters,
I can't speak the sounds that show no pain,
I can't hear the echo of my footsteps,
Or can't remember the sound of my own name.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
Only if she was lyin' by me,
Then I'd lie in my bed once again.
There's beauty in the silver, singin' river,
There's beauty in the sunrise in the sky,
But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
That I remember in my true love's eyes.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
Only if she was lyin' by me,
Then I'd lie in my bed once again.
The song begins with a hypothetical scenario in which the singer wishes that today was not an endless highway and tonight was not a crooked trail. These phrases illustrate the singer's weariness and longing for change, as they express a desire for a break from the monotony and uncertainty of life. The singer continues to express this sentiment by stating that if tomorrow wasn't such a long time, then loneliness would mean nothing to him or her at all. This line suggests that the singer is experiencing a sense of isolation and yearning for closeness with another person, possibly a romantic partner.
As the song progresses, the singer begins to reflect on his or her current state of being. The singer expresses a sense of detachment from the world around him or her, stating that he or she cannot see their reflection in the water, speak the sounds that show no pain, hear the echo of their footsteps, or remember the sound of their own name. This disconnect implies a sense of loss and a lack of personal identity, which may be contributing to the singer's overall sense of loneliness.
The final verse of the song explores the idea of beauty and the importance of love. The singer acknowledges the beauty in nature, such as the silver singing river and the sunrise in the sky, but ultimately concludes that nothing can compare to the beauty that they remember in their true love's eyes. This final verse emphasizes the importance of love and connection in life, highlighting the role that these things play in giving meaning and significance to our existence.
Line by Line Meaning
If today was not an endless highway,
If life wasn't so monotonous and predictable,
If tonight was not a crooked trail,
If life wasn't so full of unexpected twists and turns,
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time,
If time didn't seem to drag on forever,
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all.
Then you wouldn't feel so alone and isolated.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Only if the person I love was there for me,
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
And if I could feel her love and affection,
Only if she was lyin' by me,
Only if she was right beside me,
Then I'd lie in my bed once again.
Then I could finally find peace and rest.
I can't see my reflection in the waters,
I feel disconnected from myself and my surroundings,
I can't speak the sounds that show no pain,
I can't express myself or find relief from my emotional pain,
I can't hear the echo of my footsteps,
I feel like my presence doesn't matter and my efforts are futile,
Or can't remember the sound of my own name.
I feel lost and disconnected from my own identity.
There's beauty in the silver, singin' river,
Nature can bring joy and awe with its beauty,
There's beauty in the sunrise in the sky,
Watching the sun rise and start a new day can give a sense of hope and renewal,
But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
But the beauty of my true love is unmatched and incomparable
That I remember in my true love's eyes.
I find solace and happiness in the memory of my lover's eyes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind