The song "Paper House" by Lisa Hannigan tells the story of a past relationship and the nostalgia associated with it. The lyrics describe a time when the narrator and their partner spent their days together with heavy hearts and broken parts, symbolizing their emotional struggles. They would sit outside in the sun, waiting for their skin to turn, possibly indicating their desire for change or transformation. In this relationship, there was a constant search for truth and a tendency to find something to burn, suggesting a tendency for conflict or impulsiveness. The reference to walking in a hallowed place, specifically the edge of Dublin in May and June, creates a sense of sacredness and innocence that they long to return to. It represents a time when their love and connection were pure and unburdened. The narrator mentions taking the train, where the sky shifts from white to grey, as a metaphor for the ups and downs of the relationship. Sometimes one person would leave while the other stayed, further emphasizing the transient nature of their connection. The lyrics also show the passage of time, with the narrator acknowledging that their partner was much younger at the time, while they themselves have aged. Despite this, they still keep an eye on each other, limited by the metaphorical wires that may represent distance or changed circumstances. The significance of the "paper house" mentioned in the chorus is open to interpretation. It could represent something fragile and temporary, like their relationship. Living in a paper house again signifies a longing to return to a simpler and more innocent time, where they grew and thrived under the light of the moon. Overall, "Paper House" encapsulates the bittersweet nostalgia and longing for a lost connection, highlighting the beauty and complexities of past relationships.
