Dido – Isobel

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I thought it was funny when you missed the train
When I rang you at home they said you left yesterday
I thought it was strange when your car was found
By the tree in Ennis where we used to hang around

Dear Isobel
I hope you're well and what you've done is right
Oh it's been such hell
I wish you well I hope your safe tonight

It's been a long day coming and long will it last
When it's last day leaving, and I'm helping it pass by loving you more

And who he would become, all the things he'd have done
Would he have loved you, and not let you down
And would he be stronger than his father
Don't punish yourself, leave it well alone

Dear Isobel
I hope you're well and what you've done is right
Oh it's been such hell
I wish you well I hope your safe tonight

It's been a long day coming and long will it last
When it's last day leaving, and I'm helping it pass by loving you more

It's been a long day coming and long will it last
When it's last day leaving, and I'm helping it pass by loving, loving you more.

Send "Isobel" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by Radioactive Man

Track duration: 03:54

"Isobel" as written by Dido/armstrong Armstrong

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Isobel song meanings
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36 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:Could be about a suicide or someone has picked her stuff and disappeared. It's a very sad and beautiful song either way.
    Flag MrSaphiqueon December 22, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm think she can not find her and she hopes that she is well and did not do anything to harm herself.
    Flag bdttwebon December 14, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I think Dido's friend, Isobel committed suicide for some unknown reason. Maybe she did hang herself at the tree where they used to "hang" around. I think her boyfriend got her pregnant then left her or beat her up.

    Flag ragknoton September 02, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Well I always believed it was about suicide, but now when I read the comments about the pregnancy and the abortion, I think that the song might be after all about a combination of both cases, I think Isobel had a boyfriend who left her once he knew she got pregnant and then she had to kill herself thinking that it was the only solution to liberate her from her misery, then the part where Dido sings " And who he would become by the things he'd have done ....." I think she is like mourning the unborn child, that innocently died, stating that he might have loved his mom more than his father and he might have been stronger to sick to her side and look after her, unlike his father.
    Flag specon September 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think that the part about her (Isobel) not knowing whether "he" would be stronger than his father
    speaks of an abusive relationship. Maybe he attacked her and she killed him and ran. Maybe she will have to pay for her crime. Possibly Isobel's relationship was with a boy they grew up with who they all knew and they knew his father was an abusive alcoholic and they all thought "he" would be stronger. Then again maybe they planned for Isobel to come see Dido and something happened...a fight and Dido's afraid that Isobel is hurt or hurt herself...but leaving was right....sorry for all the running on, I ran out of breath typing.
    Flag icensnowon September 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think that the part about her (Isobel) not knowing whether "he" would be stronger than his father
    speaks of an abusive relationship. Maybe he attacked her and she killed him and ran. Maybe she will have to pay for her crime. Possibly Isobel's relationship was with a boy they grew up with who they all knew and they knew his father was an abusive alcoholic and they all thought "he" would be stronger. Then again maybe they planned for Isobel to come see Dido and something happened...a fight and Dido's afraid that Isobel is hurt or hurt herself...but leaving was right....sorry for all the running on, I ran out of breath typing.
    Flag icensnowon September 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Isobel disappeared after killing her newborn baby. The father had been abusive and she didn't want the child to end up the same way.
    Flag ignesandroson February 11, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:You know... I always thought that the way she phrased two of the lines was interesting.

    "By the tree in Ennis where we used to hang around"

    The word 'hang' has a kind of ominous meaning to me. Like, maybe there's a reason that specific word was chosen instead of something else. Maybe it has a double meaning & Isobel hung herself?
    Just my two cents.
    Flag dragonsilkon January 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:well, in support of the abortion theory, I´ll go and dare to say that when she says ¨I thought it was funny when you missed the train¨ she means isobel´s period...that girl felt guilty and maybe committed suicide. Sad sad song, makes me cry everytime, specially after my baby daughter died.
    Flag esthelukilovesmaiaon December 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i thought the song was either about suicide, or about isobel killing someone.... possibly killing her lover.
    i dunno, wonderful song :D
    Flag dbarbdwireon September 19, 2008   Link

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