The Cedar Room

I think now that I listen closely, it actually is, "You could be sitting next to me, and I wouldn't know where." This actually improves that line.

The meaning of this song seems multilayered, but essentially, I think "he" was selfish, disregarded someone's feelings, and took someone for granted, and ironically was the one who left, for some undisclosed reason. Now, he realizes what he had.

I am at a loss on a couple of points in the song. It should be asked, what exactly is a "crime to feel," a "call too soon," and a "cedar room?"

The first two still have me confused--I keep thinking, "Why would having feelings or a need for help be wrong," but I'm obviously missing something.

I have some ideas on the latter, however. Cedar is used to preserve things in drawers and to make shingles. It was also, incidentally, a prime component of the Temple of Solomon. Likely, I think the person being sung to had a certain room full of cedar furniture, wall panels, or something like that, in which the two people of the song spent a lot of time together. I tried a search for symbolic meanings for "cedar" and "cedar room," and only found references to Lebanon, Lebanese Maronite Catholics, and this song, plus info on the tree and uses for its wood. I know my take is a stretch, but that's the only thing I've ever been able to glean.

Meanwhile, this is a great song to sing loudly in the truck, dadgummit!