Lyrics: Slipping Through My Fingers
Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile I watch her go with a surge of that well known sadness And I have to sit down for a while The feeling that I'm losing her forever And without really entering her world I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter That funny little girl Slipping through my fingers all the time I try to capture every minute The feeling in it Slipping through my fingers all the time Do I really see what's in her mind Each time I think I'm close to knowing She keeps on growing Slipping through my fingers all the time Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table Barely awake I let precious time go by Then when she's gone, there's that odd melancholy feeling And a sense of guilt I can't deny What happened to the wonderful adventures The places I had planned for us to go Well, some of that we did, but most we didn't And why, I just don't know Slipping through my fingers all the time I try to capture every minute The feeling in it Slipping through my fingers all the time Do I really see what's in her mind Each time I think I'm close to knowing She keeps on growing Slipping through my fingers all the time Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture And save it from the funny tricks of time Slipping through my fingers... Slipping through my fingers all the time Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
Exploring the Tenderness of “Slipping Through My Fingers”
A Poignant Reflection on Parenthood
“Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA beautifully captures the bittersweet emotions of watching a child grow up. The lyrics unfold from the perspective of a parent witnessing their daughter leave for school, each morning feeling like a small goodbye. The song expresses the mixture of pride and melancholy that comes with seeing a child become more independent, highlighting the universal experience of time passing too quickly for parents.
Moments Missed and Memories Cherished
Throughout the verses, the narrator dwells on fleeting everyday moments—breakfast together, absent-minded smiles, and shared laughter. There is an underlying sense of regret for the adventures that never happened and a longing to hold onto each minute. This sense of nostalgia is heightened by the gentle melody and heartfelt vocals, inviting listeners to reflect on their own cherished memories and the inevitable passage of time.
The Universal Struggle to Hold On
The chorus, with its recurring line “Slipping through my fingers all the time,” is a touching metaphor for how quickly childhood passes by. The song asks whether parents truly understand their children, as they keep growing and changing. The wish to “freeze the picture” speaks to every parent’s desire to slow down time and savor life’s precious moments before they slip away.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Release Year: 1981
Label: Polar Music