Meaning of "Once In My Life" by The Decemberists

The lyrics of "Once In My Life" delve into the despondency of the narrator's existence, as they continually face disappointment and frustration. The repetition of "Oh, for once in my life, could just something go right?" reveals a deep longing for a moment of success or happiness. The use of "once in my life" emphasizes the extreme rarity of positive outcomes in the narrator's experience. The repetition of "I've been waiting all my life" further underscores the theme of longing and anticipation. It suggests a lifetime filled with waiting and hoping for things to improve, indicating a sense of resignation and melancholy. The phrase "All my life, my life" emphasizes the weight of the narrator's despair. They feel trapped in a cycle of disappointment, without any respite. The repetition of the plea for something to go right reinforces the narrator's desperate desire for a change in their circumstances. The lines "I could wait for hours, I could wait and never fall down" showcase the narrator's willingness to endure, to hold onto hope no matter the length of time or the intensity of the struggle. The mention of laying down beside the river, face down, evokes a sense of surrender or defeat. It suggests that despite their persistence and yearning, the narrator may have reached a point of resignation, where they have given up on the possibility of things ever going right.

Overall, "Once In My Life" captures the essence of a life marred by perpetual disappointment and a longing for a glimpse of positivity. It portrays a desperate yearning for an opportunity to break free from the cycle of despair and find a spark of happiness or fulfillment.