First and Last and Always

The lyrics present a speaker caught between a fading past and an uncertain future. They sound weary of repeated promises and long-standing patterns, yet still ask someone to remain beside them when the truth becomes clear. The repeated declaration “first and last and always” expresses a powerful wish for permanence, though the mood is not fully confident: the speaker also admits that the situation may be difficult and take too long.

Several images suggest confusion and emotional burden. A “dream of the dead days” makes the past seem both unreal and lifeless, while being “lost and blind” suggests having no clear direction. The phrase “hand me down” usually describes something passed from one person to another; here, it may imply worn-out experiences or inherited roles. “Cross my heart” is a familiar promise of sincerity, but the added image of silver gives the promise a mysterious, almost ritual quality.

The repeated word “mine” can sound loving and devoted, but it may also suggest possessiveness or a need to hold on tightly. Likewise, “first and last and always” could be a sincere promise of lasting love, or an attempt to make uncertain feelings feel permanent. The lyrics do not explain what “the evidence” will reveal, so the listener is left unsure whether the speaker expects reassurance, confrontation, or proof of a painful truth.