The Opera, The Stolen Tea, The Sand Drawing, The Verging Sea ... All Years Ago

"This might be the best 10,000 Maniacs song of them all: so simple yet so brilliant. It is about the imagery of past memories that we hold near and dear. It is about the nostalgia we wish we could return to, and because we can't, we feel like we will forever miss that moment. This seem to be about a memory of Natalie Merchant's when she was staying at a particular hotel, listening to the man singing Aida, a Verdi composition, in Room 119, having some innocent fun, and really just taking and being in the moment."

I draw a jackal-headed woman in the sand,

Sing of a lover's fate sealed by jealous hate

Then wash my hand in the sea.

With just three days more I'd have just about learned the entire score to Aida.

Holidays must end, as you know.

All is memory taken home with me:

The opera, the stolen tea, the sand drawing, the verging sea... 

All years ago.

... Verdi Cries, 10,000 Maniacs