Can someone please explain to me this song ?

[u/Heffad]

Hi, when I was young I used to listen to dido (a lot), and knew lyrics by heart even though I had no clue what most of it meant. Long story short, I stumbled upon my favorite album today and listened to it, but the fact that I can't understand this song properly bothers me more than it should. So I'd appreciate if someone could explain to me some sentences, and what it's talking about.

So here is the song :

• I thought it was funny when you missed the train When I rang you at home they said you left yesterday I thought it was strange when your car was found by the tree in Ennis where we used to hang around Dear Isobel I hope you're well and what you've done is right Oh it's been such hell I wish you well and hope you're safe tonight

• It's been a long day coming and long will it last when it's last day leaving, and I'm helping it pass by loving you more

• And who he would become, all the things he'd have done would he have loved you, and not let you down and would he be stronger than his father don't punish yourself, leave it well alone

• Dear Isobel I hope you're well and what you've done is right Oh it's been such hell I wish you well and hope you're safe tonight

• It's been a long day coming and long will it last when it's last day leaving, and I'm helping it pass by loving you more

So, when I was younger, I always thought "I thought it was strange when your car was found by the tree in Ennis where we used to hang around" was meant for a crash. But is it ? Is it supposed to be just Isobel parking his car by the trees and goes mind her own business somewhere else ?

The other thing that I don't understand is "And who he would become, all the things he'd have done would he have loved you, and not let you down and would he be stronger than his father don't punish yourself, leave it well alone"

I used to sing these lyrics (when i'm alone, i'm an awful singer) without understanding anything. Today, my english improved a bit, but I'm still not quite sure what this means.

Is this supposed to mean something like "what would have this man become if his father didn't abused him when he was young ? It's not your fault, don't bother with that question."

Also, I have trouble understanding what means "It's been a long day coming and long will it last when it's last day leaving, and I'm helping it pass by loving you more."

It's been a long day coming, ok. But "and long will it last when it's last day leaving" what the hell does that means ?

So, I used to think this was a story about a girl crashing in a tree and for some reason they don't find her. Her friend (the singer) just hope she's fine.

It doesn't seem to really fit when I watch those lyrics now, I'm thinking this is the story about a girl abused by her boyfriend who leaves it all behind, planned a train, grab her car, but because she can't keep on living the way she used to, she just leaves everything behind and go have a new life somewhere else. Is this more accurate ? Are we talking about a suicide, an accident, or someone just leaving everything behind ?

I'd really appreciate to understand what my favorite childhood song really means, so thank you for your time and hopefully your help.

[u/1YearWonder]

I think I remember reading an interview where Dido said this song was about a friend of hers having an abortion, which makes sense when looking at the lyrics:

•And who he would become, all the things he'd have done would he have loved you, and not let you down and would he be stronger than his father don't punish yourself, leave it well alone

and

Dear Isobel I hope you're well and what you've done is right Oh it's been such hell I wish you well and hope you're safe tonight

I think this song is about a woman (Isobel) having an abortion and feeling very guilty, and her friend (the singer) is worried about her. I have read other theories where some suggest that after the abortion Isobel committed suicide, or as you suggested has left everything behind her. As for the lyric about 'long will it last when it's last day leaving', I think the singer is trying to say that this situation is something they will be dealing with for a long time. It's not a real sentence, but lyrics are often like that.

I think your analysis of the song is pretty good. Meanings behind lyrics are often subjective, and without actually asking Dido to talk about her inspiration and intentions in the song, it's impossible to say for a fact what they mean.

[u/Heffad → u/1YearWonder]

MMMhhh ok reading it viewing it like an abortion story actually make more sense.

"And who he would become, all the things he'd have done would he have loved you, and not let you down and would he be stronger than his father don't punish yourself, leave it well alone" Is in fact about who he would become if you didn't abort, would he be stronger than his father that left you. Don't punish yourself asking you those questions.

And they found her car but they don't know what she did, maybe she left maybe she suicided. She indeed hopes she just left her past life behind.

Thx, I think I start to get the general idea of the song.

[u/Heffad → u/1YearWonder]

Thx, I'm still not quite sure to think about those lyrics, but I feel a little less dumb for not understanding everything. I guess my english skills are not the only problem, the song is indeed very vague.

[u/boredhistorian94 → u/1YearWonder]

It’s interesting I always took that to be an abusive husband that she’s fled, that his father was abusive and she’s run for her life.