Song meaning of All This Remains by Bert Jansch

The lyrics of the song "All This Remains" by Bert Jansch convey a sense of longing, loss, and the enduring presence of someone who has left but still lingers in the memories and emotions of the narrator. The opening lines suggest that the narrator is haunted by the image of someone, possibly a former lover, who is no longer present but continues to exist in their thoughts and surroundings.

The repetition of the phrase "All the things that you believe" implies that the narrator still retains the qualities and beliefs that were once shared with this person, even though they are no longer together. This suggests a longing to reconnect with those shared experiences and recreate the connection that has been lost.

The imagery of shimmering memories and feeling the ghost of the person in the breeze evokes a sense of their lingering presence and the impact they continue to have on the narrator's life. The chorus emphasizes that despite the fading of their connection and the passage of time, "all this remains," indicating that the memories and emotions associated with this person still hold significance and continue to affect the narrator.

Overall, the lyrics suggest that even though the relationship may have ended and the person may have moved on, their presence and the impact of their love still reverberate in the narrator's heart and memories. It explores the aftermath of lost love and the struggle to let go while holding onto the remnants of what once was.