Oh, my sorrows/
Sad tomorrows/
Take me back to my own home.
There are specific, real-life circumstances that set the stage for Marmalade’s “Reflections of My Life”, and help in understanding the meaning. This song was written during the height of the Vietnam War. The song describes a person–probably a soldier–who is sitting somewhere, dying, as day turns to night.
He reflects on the decisions that brought him to this place and what he’d do differently if he could. He wants to go back home. Many of the decisions he has made brings him to tears. The world is bad and changing but he still wants to live. These reflections make him weary.
“Reflections of My Life” is a sad song sung in a key that is traditionally a happy major key. This creates a really different effect and makes for a unique sounding song that brings about conflicting emotions in the listener.
Marmalade’s “Reflections of My Life” is driven by the rhythm section: the bass and drum both have a solid intro and unique adds throughout. The song sounds like psychedelic rock and it has many of its characteristics. The use of many horned instruments and the harmonies are worth pointing out. The harmonies are excellent throughout, and I consider them the key to the song. The sound is similar to the best the Mamas & Papas put out, but with lyrics that are slightly darker.
Reflections of My Life Lyrics
The changing of sunlight to moonlight
Reflections of my life
Oh, how they fill my eyes
The greetings of people in trouble
Reflections of my life
Oh, how they fill my eyes
Oh, my sorrows
Sad tomorrows
Take me back to my own home
Oh, my crying (Oh, my crying)
Feel I’m dying, dying
Take me back to my own home
I’m changing, arranging
I’m changing
I’m changing everything
Everything around me
The world is
A bad place
A bad place
A terrible place to live
Oh, but I don’t want to die
Oh, my sorrows
Sad tomorrows
Take me back to my own home
Oh, my crying (Oh, my crying)
Feel I’m dying, dying
Take me back to my own home
Oh, my sorrows
Sad tomorrows
Take me back to my own home
Songwriters: William Campbell Jr / Thomas McAleese