Meaning of "Before" by Dave Hause

The lyrics of "Before" by Dave Hause convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for a past relationship that has since crumbled. The singer vividly describes a time when love and passion were still alive, before the crash and shame that tore them apart. The imagery of carrying the fire without burning the sea or the town symbolizes the intense emotions and connection they once had, now lost. Despite the pain and heartache, the singer yearns for the past and struggles to come to terms with the loss, begging their partner to stay and not leave them with just memories. The repetitive plea for grace and the futile efforts to hold onto something that is slipping away highlight the desperation and vulnerability of the singer, ultimately culminating in a sense of acceptance and resignation that the relationship has reached its end. The reference to "plastic plague of a sea" could symbolize the artificial and toxic nature of their current reality, contrasting with the purity and intensity of their past love.