This quote eloquently captures the profound and timeless power of music as a vessel of memory and emotion. It suggests that songs have an enduring quality that transcends the temporal existence of people and events. While those events and individuals eventually become "dust and dreams and gone," songs serve as their echoes, preserving moments of life and feeling long after their original circumstances have faded away. This can reflect not only the resilience of music but also its ability to connect generations across time. A simple melody or lyric can invoke vivid imagery and emotions tied to specific histories or personal experiences, allowing us to relive or understand moments we never directly witnessed. Furthermore, the phrasing evokes a poetic image of impermanence contrasted with immortality—where physical presence is ephemeral, yet the essence can be captured and sustained through art. This is particularly resonant in considering human mortality and the ways cultural artifacts can outlive their creators, granting a form of symbolic continuation. Neil Gaiman's subtle insight also reminds us of the comforting continuity that music provides amid the inevitable changes and losses of life. It can offer solace, connection, and a sense of shared humanity, affirming that although everything in the material world passes away, art leaves a lasting imprint on the world and on us.