Meaning of "Comes and Goes" by Dan Fogelberg

The lyrics of "Comes and Goes" by Dan Fogelberg capture the essence of a relationship filled with uncertainty and longing. The woman in the song is portrayed as mysterious and ever-changing, like the night that brings darkness and the tide that ebbs and flows. The narrator's heartache is palpable as he describes how she continually breaks his heart without realizing the depth of his feelings. Despite the pain she causes, he recognizes that the time they share is fleeting and valuable, even as he struggles to communicate the depth of his emotions. The comparison of the woman to ivy highlights the way she entwines herself around his soul, both suffocating and comforting him in equal measure. Ultimately, the song speaks to the bittersweet nature of love and the inevitability of loss, as the narrator contemplates the finite nature of their time together.