Before We Drift Away

Nothing But Thieves' song 'Before We Drift Away' delves into the ephemeral nature of life and love, exploring themes of impermanence and the desire to hold onto precious moments. The lyrics open with a contemplation of mortality, pondering where one might 'float to when I return to dust.' This imagery evokes a sense of dissolution and the inevitable return to nature, suggesting a cyclical view of life and death. The mention of the world being 'at war again' juxtaposes the personal with the global, highlighting the insignificance of individual concerns in the grand scheme of things.

The chorus reflects a deep emotional connection, with the singer expressing a fear of losing love and wondering if it will 'flow into the river' or 'go to waste.' This metaphor of love as a flowing river suggests continuity and the hope that emotions and memories will persist even after physical separation. The repetition of 'Before we drift away' underscores the urgency to cherish these moments before they are lost to time. The song's bridge, with its repeated plea to 'hang on to this forever,' emphasizes a desperate desire to preserve the present and resist the passage of time.

The reference to 'Somnus,' the Roman god of sleep, introduces a metaphor for death as an eternal slumber, a 'clock without a face.' This imagery suggests a timeless state, where the boundaries between life and death blur. The song's closing lines, 'I don't wanna grow old,' encapsulate a universal fear of aging and the loss of vitality. Through its poignant lyrics and evocative metaphors, 'Before We Drift Away' captures the fleeting nature of existence and the human longing to hold onto love and life, even as they slip through our fingers.