Will I have learned so very little
When these bones are old and brittle?
I wait to talk when I should listen
And cloud mistakes with false revisions

All my friends are forward-thinking
Getting hitched and quitting drinking
And I can feel them pulling away
As I'm resigned to stay the same

And you can't even begin to know
How many times I've told myself "I told you so"

I was once a loyal lover
Whose lips did never seek another's
But now each love's more like a match
A blinding spark that burns out fast

And they all conclude with the same sentence:
"I've never met someone more self-centered
Who thinks that life with a nice girl's like
Waiting for a bus to work"

And you can't even begin to know
How many times I've told myself "I told you so"
And you can't even begin to believe
There's so many bridges engulfed in flames behind me

If you deem it so
Just cut the cord and go
You'll be fine
There's plenty of hills to climb

[Repeat x2]
You can't even begin to know
How many times I've told myself "I told you so"
And you can't even begin to believe
There's so many bridges engulfed in flames behind me



Lyrics submitted by doda

Track duration: 03:24

"I Was Once a Loyal Lover" as written by Benjamin Gibbard

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


I Was Once a Loyal Lover song meanings
Add your thoughts

11 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's less straightforward than people think. There's some cliche' themes about growing old and regretting the past in life, but it is very well written and descriptive for that type of thing. The song is really catchy too; what I want to know is why wasn't this on Narrow Stairs?
    Flag jcjh20on October 30, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Awesome lyrics, I want to hear this song now. Really sounds like some self-centred guy who can't get over himself and can't get out of a whole he's aware of. Pretty awesome.
    Flag DestroySomethingBeautifulon March 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song describes so many people in highschool and even middle school they just rush through girlfriends like they go through a pair of shoes this is how i feel sometimes its such an amazing song once again death cab for cutie is my favorite band they are so brilliant and clever and they sound amazing they are the greatest band and no one is even close to their talent
    Flag explosionsinthesky11on August 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song.
    This EP.
    Awwwmahgod. I love it. Love it.
    So yeah, you guys already got the meaning on this one.
    I've gotta say the first verse is my favorite part. Especially the first 2 lines.
    I don't know why, or anything.
    Flag SOUPerpowerson April 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:And you can't even begin to know
    How many times I've told myself "I told you so"

    I love that line. Pretty much anyone can relate to that.
    Flag satellitemindon April 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It is also titled I was once I loyal lover. He was probably burned now he can't settle down?
    Flag shelly0005on April 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:jacks94, you got it in one sentence. i completely agree.
    Flag lizzie88on April 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:oh man when i first heard the EP, i immediately fell in love with it. the song is pretty straight forward. someone who doesn't or can't settle with somebody. he knows it, and doesn't care about the effect it has on himself or his love interests.
    Flag enigmaticfinaltrackon April 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song and the EP it's pretty straitforwar. About a man who can't seem to settle down or change.
    Flag jacks94on April 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:fucking awesome song
    Flag Stevierrwon April 02, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain