My life was empty when you went away
Even the blue skies above had turned gray
E3ut now that you've come back
My dream of life is here to stay
Those little quarrels that tore us apart
Oh, gee, I can see
They were wrong from the start
But now that you've come back
My dream of life is here to stay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Carmen McRae's song "Dream of Life" express the powerful emotions of loss and redemption in love. The opening line, "My life was empty when you went away" captures the pain of losing someone who was essential to one's life. The singer feels as though even the previously joyous and beautiful world has become shrouded in grey since the love of her life left. However, the song quickly shifts to a more positive tone with the line "But now that you've come back," signaling a change for the better.

The second section of the song expresses regret for any past quarrels or conflicts that drove the lovers apart, indicating a desire for a fresh start in the relationship. The line "They were wrong from the start" acknowledges that both parties have made mistakes, but the chance to rebuild is too precious to squander. The song ends on a hopeful note with "My dream of life is here to stay," emphasizing that the singer's deepest desires have been realized, and she is prepared to cherish the renewed relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

My life was empty when you went away
The absence of your presence left me feeling desolate and unfulfilled.

Even the blue skies above had turned gray
The once bright and cheerful world became dull and gloomy without you by my side.

But now that you've come back
Your return has illuminated my life with hope and joy once again.

My dream of life is here to stay
My vision of a bright and happy life is now possible with you back in it.

Those little quarrels that tore us apart
Petty disagreements that seemed significant at the time ultimately caused our separation.

Oh, gee, I can see
Looking back, I realize the triviality of those arguments and how they weren't worth losing you over.

But now that you've come back
With you reconciled, those past issues seem insignificant and unimportant.

My dream of life is here to stay
I'm committed to holding onto our renewed love and building a fulfilling future together.

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Comments from YouTube:

peter cates

5y↑1

This record is one lovely example of extraordinary singing from the heart of a woman who knew what she was singing, right up there with Kathleen Ferrier, Sarah Vaughan, Eva Cassidy and Teresa Stitch-Randall.