This gravestone is peaceful and quiet
She pulls up a chair and sits right by it
The air around is gentle and warm
The rose colored wreath is tattered and torn
Tiny blades of grass are peeking through
Drawing life from sunshine and dew
remembering his eyes when she lied
Knowing she lives feeling she’s died
Da da da da da da da
Da da da da da da da
where have all the good time gone
where have all the good time gone
where have all the good time gone my child
Da da da da da da da
Da da da da da da da
So every night after sunshine
You’ll find her there alone in her shrine
Two forms appearing ghostly in rain
One red marble the other blue pain
where have all the good time gone
where have all the good time gone
where have all the good time gone my child
Da da da da da da da
Da da da da da da da
Reflections on Loss and Remorse
In “Gone,” Bob Seger crafts a poignant narrative about grief and the lingering weight of regret. The song opens with a somber scene at a gravestone, setting the tone for an intimate exploration of sorrow. The protagonist, haunted by a past lie, finds herself visiting a loved one’s grave, seeking solace amid memories and the passage of time. The imagery of “tiny blades of grass” and a “rose colored wreath” hints at life’s fragility and the slow healing process.
The Echoes of Happier Days
The recurring refrain, “where have all the good time gone,” underscores a profound sense of longing for the past. The “da da da” motif evokes a bittersweet nostalgia, contrasting with the emotional weight of the verses. As night falls, the woman returns to her “shrine,” grappling with her loss and the pain that remains, symbolized by “red marble” and “blue pain.” Seger’s storytelling captures the universal struggle to reconcile joy and heartbreak.
Song Credits
Artist: Bob Seger
Songwriters: Bob Seger