Fare Thee Well
Al Bowlly & Lew Stone And His Band Lyrics

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You told me well at fall
You didn't need me round at all
So fare thee, honey, fare thee well

Now I'm packin' up my grip
Made up my mind to take a trip
Woah, fare the, honey, fare thee well

You told me right to my face
That I could eas'ly be replaced
Woah fare thee, honey, fare thee well

No use to take it back
'Cause I've got my suitcase packed
It's fare thee, honey, fare thee well

You told me when last spring
When the birds began to sing
It was fare thee, honey, fare thee well

Time and time again
You'd look at me and grin
With a fare thee, honey, fare thee well

You chase around all over town
Every night you lied to me
You made me burn but now it's my turn
You have said your last farewell to me

Well I guess by now you've learned
That the little worm has turned

Woah, fare thee, woah, fare thee.
Honey, fare thee well.

Overall Meaning

In the song "Fare Thee Well," the singer addresses their lover, who had previously told them that they didn't need them around anymore. The singer then reveals that they have made up their mind to leave and embark on a journey, and that their lover had informed them that they could easily be replaced. The singer tells their lover that there is no use taking back what they said, as they have already packed their bags and are leaving.

The song seems to be about empowerment and taking charge of one's own life. The singer has been mistreated and lied to, but now they are standing up for themselves and leaving. The repetition of "fare thee well" throughout the song emphasizes the finality of the situation, as if the singer is saying goodbye to the past and paving the way for a new beginning. The song also showcases the pain and bitterness that comes with a break-up, as the singer reveals that they were hurt by their lover's actions.

Line by Line Meaning

You told me well at fall
You informed me during autumn

You didn't need me round at all
You did not require me near you

So fare thee, honey, fare thee well
So goodbye to you, my dear

Now I'm packin' up my grip
I am packing my luggage

Made up my mind to take a trip
I have decided to go on a journey

Woah, fare the, honey, fare thee well
Oh, goodbye to you, my dear

You told me right to my face
You spoke to me directly

That I could eas'ly be replaced
That I could be substituted effortlessly

Woah fare thee, honey, fare thee well
Oh, goodbye to you, my dear

No use to take it back
There is no point in retracting it now

'Cause I've got my suitcase packed
Because I have already prepared my luggage