Meaning of "Sweet and Low" by Darlingside

The lyrics of "Sweet and Low" by Darlingside beautifully capture the contrast between the sweetness of love and the bitterness of heartbreak. The repeated comparisons of different sensations, such as sugar and lemonade, falcons and paper planes, thistles and rain, highlight the ebb and flow of emotions that come with losing a loved one. The imagery of running water, tidal waves, and fire roaring symbolize the intensity of feelings when facing a separation and the struggles of standing on your own after the departure of a significant other. The line "No shelter from the coming storm will ever feel like home" emphasizes the idea that no matter what protection or defense mechanisms we put in place, the absence of a true love will always leave us vulnerable and longing for their return. The final lines, "Nothing tastes like sugar when your love can never return, how to feel with half your heart is the toughest thing to learn," poignantly encapsulate the pain and difficulty of moving forward after a heart-wrenching loss. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning, resilience, and the ongoing quest to navigate life with an incomplete heart.