This old heart
Can't stand much more
This old heart
Can't stand much more

Though I heard it
I won't turn you, oh, no

This old heart
Can't bear this pain
This old heart
Can't bear this pain

If you love me
You won't hurt me
And refrain

Took my love
And now you're gone
Took my heart
And gone on home

I know, pretty baby
That you won't be true
And I don't care what you do

This old heart
Can't bear this pain
This old heart
Can't bear this pain

If you love me
You won't hurt me
And refrain

Took my love
And now you're gone
Took my heart
And gone on home

I know, pretty baby
That you won't be true
And I don't care what you do

This old heart
Can't stand no more
This old heart
Can't stand no more

Though I heard it
I won't turn you, oh, no

Though I heard it
I won't turn you, oh, no

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of James Brown's "This Old Heart" express the pain of a broken heart via a repeating chorus "This old heart can't stand much more..." The singer expresses that he has reached a breaking point and that he can no longer bear the pain of the heartbreak he is experiencing. He addresses his lover and tells her that although he knows she won't be true, he still loves her and won't turn away from her. The repeated chorus highlights the desperate state of his heart's emotional distress. The singer seems to be pleading with his lover to take his feelings and heart seriously and not hurt him anymore.

The lyrics are evocative of the genre of soul music, which is characterized by the emotional intensity of the artists' performances. The song is a testament to the power of music to capture and convey the anguish of love and heartbreak. The raw and honest nature of the lyricism is something that many people will be able to relate to, having experienced similar experiences of heartbreak in their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

This old heart
The singer is referring to their heart, which is old and weary from being hurt in the past.

Can't stand much more
The singer's heart cannot handle any more emotional pain.

Though I heard it
The singer heard something negative about their romantic partner.

I won't turn you, oh, no
The artist will not break up with their partner despite hearing negative rumors.

Can't bear this pain
The artist's heart cannot tolerate the intense emotional pain they are feeling.

If you love me
The singer is addressing their romantic partner, hoping for a sign of love and affection.

You won't hurt me
The singer's heart cannot take any more pain and they are asking their partner to not hurt them any further.

And refrain
The artist wants their partner to abstain from anything that may cause emotional harm to their heart.

Took my love
The artist's partner took their love, meaning that they were once in love but the love is gone now.

And now you're gone
The artist's partner is no longer with them.

Took my heart
The singer's partner took their heart, meaning that they were once in love but the love is gone now.

And gone on home
The artist's partner left them to return to their own home.

That you won't be true
The singer does not believe their partner will be faithful and loyal in the relationship.

And I don't care what you do
The singer no longer has strong feelings for their partner and is indifferent about what they do.

Can't stand no more
The singer's heart cannot tolerate any more pain, indicating they are at their breaking point.

Though I heard it
The artist heard something negative about their romantic partner.

I won't turn you, oh, no
The artist will not break up with their partner despite hearing negative rumors.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PATRICK MURRAY, ALEANDER SPALDING BROWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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