Meaning of "Thirty Years Of Tears" by John Hiatt

The lyrics of "Thirty Years of Tears" by John Hiatt delve into the theme of emotional healing and confronting past pain. The narrator is longing for a safe space to process their emotions and finally release the tears that have been suppressed for three decades. The metaphorical references to swimming the seven sad seas and crying rivers and lakes convey the magnitude of the emotional burden they have carried. The repeated chorus of needing to cry for thirty years indicates the deep-seated hurt that has been building up over time. Ultimately, the song captures the universal experience of needing to confront and release old wounds in order to move forward and find peace within oneself.