☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics reflect experiences in a relationship and its final phase.
- No resentment or blame is assigned for the end of the relationship.
- It shows endurance and resilience in difficult times.
- There is acceptance of the ending and willingness to calmly face new challenges.
- Symbolism of autumn as an indicator of the end of a phase or relationship.
Interpretation
In the lyrics of the song 'When All Is Said and Done' by
ABBA, it is about the reflection of two people on their relationship that they have experienced together throughout their lives.
The opening lines 'Here's to us one more toast and then we'll pay the bill / Deep inside both of us can feel the autumn chill' suggest the end of an era or a relationship. It is autumn, a symbol of something coming to an end.
But even though the relationship ends, there is no resentment or blame. This is evident in the lines 'Neither you nor I'm to blame when all is said and done'. It is simply the time to end things and move on.
The third verse 'It's so strange when you're down and lying on the floor / How you rise, shake your head, get up and ask for more' speaks about the ability to resist and keep going even when life gets tough. It shows the strength and resilience that we carry within us.
The song ends with the lines 'Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run / There's no hurry any more when all is said and done'. This speaks of accepting the end and being willing to face new challenges without rushing or running away. It is a statement of serenity and calmness despite the changes that life brings.