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One Sweet Day
Boyz II Men Lyrics


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Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say
Now it's too late to hold you
'Cause you've flown away
So far away

Never had I imagined
Living without your smile
Feeling and knowing you hear me
It keeps me alive
Alive

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Darling I never showed you
Assumed you'd always be there
I, I took your presence for granted
But I always cared
And I miss the love we shared

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Although the sun will never shine the same
I'll always look to a brighter day

Yeah, Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep
You will always listen as I pray

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say

Overall Meaning

The song One Sweet Day by Boyz II Men featuring Mariah Carey is a heart-wrenching ballad about losing someone dear and yearning for their presence. The lyrics express deep regret for not having said everything that needed to be said before they passed away. The opening lines, "Sorry I never told you, all I wanted to say. Now it's too late to hold you, 'cause you've flown away so far away," convey the sadness of not having expressed and held onto the love before it was too late.


The lyrics also talk about missing the person deeply and holding onto the memories they shared. "Never had I imagined living without your smile, feeling and knowing you hear me, it keeps me alive," is a testament to the depth of love and how it keeps one going even in the face of immense loss. The constant refrain of "And I know you're shining down on me from heaven, like so many friends we've lost along the way, and I know eventually we'll be together, one sweet day," echoes the hope that someday, they will be reunited in a better place.


Overall, the song speaks about the universal human experience of loss and how the love and memories shared with those who passed away remain with us forever. The lyrics and melody evoke strong emotions and have made it a popular choice for funerals and other occasions where people need comfort in times of grief.



Line by Line Meaning

Sorry I never told you
Expressing regret for not having the chance to reveal one's feelings.


All I wanted to say
Being unable to convey emotions or desires before it was too late.


Now it's too late to hold you
Lamenting the fact that physical comfort can no longer be shared.


'Cause you've flown away
Describing the separation and distance between two individuals.


So far away
Emphasizing the great distance that exists between the two individuals.


Never had I imagined
Reflecting on the disbelief and sadness that comes with losing a loved one.


Living without your smile
Grieving the loss of a smile that once brought so much joy.


Feeling and knowing you hear me
Finding comfort in the idea that the loved one is listening from beyond the grave.


It keeps me alive
Expressing the idea that memories and feelings keep one going, even in the face of loss.


And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Believing that the loved one is watching from above, guiding and protecting.


Like so many friends we've lost along the way
Acknowledging the many others who have also passed, and who continue to be missed.


And I know eventually we'll be together
Holding onto hope that one day, the two will be reunited.


Darling I never showed you
Expressing regret for not expressing affection or appreciation sooner.


Assumed you'd always be there
Taking for granted the presence of a loved one, assuming they would never leave.


I, I took your presence for granted
Reiterating the feeling of not fully recognizing how important a loved one was until it was too late.


But I always cared
Affirming the love and concern that existed, even if it was not always shown.


And I miss the love we shared
Expressing the yearning for the closeness and affection that was once shared with the loved one.


Although the sun will never shine the same
Acknowledging that life will never be the same without the loved one.


I'll always look to a brighter day
Holding onto hope that things will eventually improve.


Yeah, Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep
Referencing a prayer before bed, and acknowledging a higher power.


You will always listen as I pray
Expressing faith that God or a higher being is always listening and present.


And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Reiterating the belief that the loved one is watching from above.


Like so many friends we've lost along the way
Echoing the sentiment of the loved one being just one of many who have been lost.


And I know eventually we'll be together
Holding onto the hope of eventual reunion and closeness.


One sweet day
The day when they will finally be reunited, and the pain of loss will finally be eased.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Walter Afanasieff, Mariah Carey, Shawn Stockman, Michael McCary, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@SP_Paca44

Who's listening in 2024?

@GloriaPatrick-vs7oq

Forever listening ❤

@khayy_cee

Literally came to listen to this song coz I lost my best friend in November of last year.

@carlloud1187

Listening with memories of my dear friend Cheryl😭

@samclarke3692

Meeeee🎉

@mikel5226

Always

141 More Replies...

@ramonestevez7588

My dad just passed away today at 6am😢 needed to hear this. My message is this. Call your folks if u haven’t lately. God bless to all

@PraveenSriram

Gives me the chills reading 📖 your comment since my dad and mom aren’t in the best of health and my dad has lung cancer at age 71. I’m not sure how much longer they have on this planet 🌍. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Also I’m very sorry to hear about your loss and praying for you

@BCoriginal1

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

@JetoIsufaj

😢your olyp8ol

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