Okay. I know the song is about him not showing love to his woman when he had the chance, and later when he decides he does want to, it's too late.

But what does he mean when he says:

"But I chose to live instead
Inside the shell they gave me"?

[ July 31, 2006, 18:28: Message edited by: Fading Away ]

Okay. I know the song is about him not showing love to his woman when he had the chance, and later when he decides he does want to, it's too late.

But what does he mean when he says:

"But I chose to live instead
Inside the shell they gave me"?

[ July 31, 2006, 18:28: Message edited by: Fading Away ]

Well, I know we all like to analyze Gord's lyrics, but as a somewhat songwriter myself, sometimes the lines kinda flow out into the places where they fit and sound the best.(and where the best rhyme occurs!)

Now, did he have a specific meaning in that line? More than likely, but maybe not. I think songs are like abstract paintings - the listener can read into the words what he chooses. Not criticizing you, to be sure.

Now about "Apology". I think it could be Gord's most beautiful and poetic song. And certainly one of his most obscure. I talked to him at the Hampton Beach Casino here in NH a few years ago and requested it. He just shook his head and said something about it being too "wordy" or something to that effect. I think is a stunningly emotional song. One of his best-written tunes.IMHO

Well, I know we all like to analyze Gord's lyrics, but as a somewhat songwriter myself, sometimes the lines kinda flow out into the places where they fit and sound the best.(and where the best rhyme occurs!)

Now, did he have a specific meaning in that line? More than likely, but maybe not. I think songs are like abstract paintings - the listener can read into the words what he chooses. Not criticizing you, to be sure.

Now about "Apology". I think it could be Gord's most beautiful and poetic song. And certainly one of his most obscure. I talked to him at the Hampton Beach Casino here in NH a few years ago and requested it. He just shook his head and said something about it being too "wordy" or something to that effect. I think is a stunningly emotional song. One of his best-written tunes.IMHO

halocat,

I agree with you that sometimes it's the rhyme and where it works. You don't post much but you've been around for a long time.

Bill :)

Apology, ©1969 by Gordon Lightfoot

I remember everything
I've learned about survival
I've walked with fools and kings
And even read the Bible

There I came upon some lines
Givin' me direction
Gather not your gold on earth
Your kingdom is in heaven

But I chose to live instead
Inside the shell they gave me
'Til in spite of everything
Good fortune came to find me

{ I might be wrong here, but this is my opinion, of the question you ask.}

He says, he even read the bible, and in the bible, it tells him, not to gather his gold on earth, his kingdom is in heaven. And later in the song... it will not pass inspection.

But he chose to live instead, and till inspight of everything, good fortune came to find him.

{He's got this great gift, of signer songwriter, that made him rich. So he didnt do what he read in the bible, he gathered his gold here on earth.}

What do you think Fading Away, do you understand what Im trying to say here? :)

Apology, ©1969 by Gordon Lightfoot

I remember everything
I've learned about survival
I've walked with fools and kings
And even read the Bible

There I came upon some lines
Givin' me direction
Gather not your gold on earth
Your kingdom is in heaven

But I chose to live instead
Inside the shell they gave me
'Til in spite of everything
Good fortune came to find me

{ I might be wrong here, but this is my opinion, of the question you ask.}

He says, he even read the bible, and in the bible, it tells him, not to gather his gold on earth, his kingdom is in heaven. And later in the song... it will not pass inspection.

But he chose to live instead, and till inspight of everything, good fortune came to find him.

{He's got this great gift, of signer songwriter, that made him rich. So he didnt do what he read in the bible, he gathered his gold here on earth.}

What do you think Fading Away, do you understand what Im trying to say here? :)

{He's got this great gift, of signer songwriter, that made him rich. So he didnt do what he read in the bible, he gathered his gold here on earth.}


Ohhhhhh, I think that explains it. I had a feeling that was what it was about, but then I wasn't so sure. But now everyone else here agrees, so I guess I was wrong to change my mind. Thanks. :)

This is a very painful song to listen to now, because it reminds me of me. :redface:

Hey my man, I might be wrong, it is only my opinion?

Of course it's a song, so he might be talking about anyone here.

Would be interesting in hearing some other opinions, on this great song. Ive been listening to this song, since 1969-70. Ever since, "Sunday Concert" came out. And this as always been what I thought, Anyway, great question Fading Away...Jess. :)

Hey my man, I might be wrong, it is only my opinion?

Of course it's a song, so he might be talking about anyone here.

Would be interesting in hearing some other opinions, on this great song. Ive been listening to this song, since 1969-70. Ever since, "Sunday Concert" came out. And this as always been what I thought, Anyway, great question Fading Away...Jess. :)

"But I chose to live instead
Inside the shell they gave me"?

Always sounded to me like the narrator chose to lead the material life, hell-bent for leather emphasis on earthly pleasures when he was young. In other words, like most young folks sowing wild oats, living a sort of heedless one-day-at-a-time, if-it-feels-good fun life. But as he gets older he realizes there's more to life than drinkin' carousing and chasing after the next good time. He comes to the realization that he's missed out on what's really valuable, and it's too late to get it back.

"But I chose to live instead
Inside the shell they gave me"?

Always sounded to me like the narrator chose to lead the material life, hell-bent for leather emphasis on earthly pleasures when he was young. In other words, like most young folks sowing wild oats, living a sort of heedless one-day-at-a-time, if-it-feels-good fun life. But as he gets older he realizes there's more to life than drinkin' carousing and chasing after the next good time. He comes to the realization that he's missed out on what's really valuable, and it's too late to get it back.

Yes Auburn Annie, "But I chose to live instead, Inside the shell they gave me."

We are all givin a shell to live in. His, was gonna make him filty rich. (Destiny, if you prefer.)

He had read the bible, and it told him like it tells everybody, I guess. "Gather not your gold on earth, your kingdom is in heaven."

But he chose to live instead inside the shell.....

I respect your opinion Annie, you might be right? :)

Yes Auburn Annie, "But I chose to live instead, Inside the shell they gave me."

We are all givin a shell to live in. His, was gonna make him filty rich. (Destiny, if you prefer.)

He had read the bible, and it told him like it tells everybody, I guess. "Gather not your gold on earth, your kingdom is in heaven."

But he chose to live instead inside the shell.....

I respect your opinion Annie, you might be right? :)