In Taylor Swift's “august,” Augustine yearns for a 17-year-old boy named James.
The song is one part of Folklore's fictional teenage love triangle. Augustine describes a brief summer romance with James, but he ultimately leaves her and returns to Betty, his former lover.
The names and viewpoints become clearer when “august” is considered alongside “Cardigan” and “Betty.” “Cardigan” is associated with Betty's perspective, while “Betty” presents James's perspective. Together, the tracks show how the same relationship can look different to each person involved.
Augustine is the narrator of “august,” not the name of the song's romantic destination. Betty is James's former lover, while James is the boy at the center of the song's summer story.