Hard to Love
Old Crow Medicine Show Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It’s hard to please your mind
When you’ve broken the heart of many a poor boy
But you’ll never break this heart of mine
Can’t you see that lonesome ship that sails
That sails from shore to shore
If I was on that lonesome ship
I’d sail away no more
Well, it’s hard to love and not be loved
It’s hard to please your mind
When you’ve broken the heart of many a poor boy
But you’ll never break this heart of mine
Well I wish I was a pretty little bird
I wish I was a pretty little bee
I wish I was so far away
No more you’d see of me
Well, it’s hard to love and not be loved
It’s hard to please your mind
When you’ve broken the heart of many a poor boy
But you’ll never break this heart of mine
The blackest crow that ever flew
Will never turn to white
If you will prove your love to me
I’d turn my day to night
Well, it’s hard to love and not be loved
It’s hard to please your mind
When you’ve broken the heart of many a poor boy
But you’ll never break this heart of mine
Oh Lord
No you’ll never break this heart of mine
The song "Hard to Love" by Old Crow Medicine Show is a story of a person who acknowledges the challenge of loving someone who cannot reciprocate their feelings. The lyrics convey the sense of pain and sadness that the singer feels because of this unrequited love. The opening lines of the song, "It’s hard to love and not be loved, It’s hard to please your mind," sets the tone for the entire song, highlighting the sorrow that comes with loving someone who does not love you back.
The singer also reflects on the hurt and pain that they may have caused to others while trying to find love. They acknowledge that they have "broken the heart of many a poor boy," but despite this, their heart is unbreakable. They are determined not to let their hurt turn into anger or hatred. With the repetition of the line, "But you’ll never break this heart of mine," the singer emphasizes the strength of their heart and commitment to true love.
The song also references a "lonesome ship that sails from shore to shore." This ship represents the singer's desire to leave and never come back, to escape from the feeling of not being loved. However, they cannot bring themselves to leave, as they only want to be loved.
Overall, the song is a sad but beautiful representation of the challenges of love, and how it can often leave people feeling lonely and hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it’s hard to love and not be loved
It is emotionally difficult to love someone who doesn't love you back in return.
It’s hard to please your mind
One faces difficulty and frustration when trying to satisfy their own desires and needs.
When you’ve broken the heart of many a poor boy
If one has left a trail of heartbreak behind them, it is hard to not constantly think about those they've hurt.
But you’ll never break this heart of mine
Despite past hurt, this person's heart will not be easily broken in the future.
Can’t you see that lonesome ship that sails
One can observe a lonely ship that travels from place to place.
That sails from shore to shore
This ship traverses many different areas and destinations.
If I was on that lonesome ship
The singer imagines themselves on the ship referenced earlier.
I’d sail away no more
If they were on that ship, they would have no reason to continue their journey.
Well I wish I was a pretty little bird
The artist desires to be a small and beautiful bird.
I wish I was a pretty little bee
The artist wishes to become a cute and useful bee.
I wish I was so far away
They desire to be far away from where they are now.
No more you’d see of me
This implies they want to disappear and not be visible to anyone anymore.
The blackest crow that ever flew
This is a reference to a very dark and ominous bird called the crow.
Will never turn to white
The dark crow will never become a lighter color.
If you will prove your love to me
The singer is asking for someone to prove their love for them.
I’d turn my day to night
If someone loved them, they would be so happy that their day would feel like night (euphoric).
Oh Lord
This is an exclamation and could be interpreted as a prayer or expression of desperation.
No you’ll never break this heart of mine
This re-emphasizes the stubbornness and resilience of the singer's heart in the face of past hurt.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kevin Hayes, Willie Watson, Ketch Secor, Morgan Jahnig, Critter Fuqua
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Morris
Damn good
khallori
Hell yeah
Generation Fallout
Well i wish i was a pretty little bird,
I wish i was a pretty little beeee!
I wish i was so far away,
No more you’d see of meeee!