Dimming Of The Day
Alison Krauss & Union Station Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

This old house is falling down around my ears
I'm drowning in a river of my tears
When all my will is gone you hold me sway
I need you at the dimming of the day

You pull me like the moon pulls on the tide
You know just where I keep my better side
What days have come to keep us far apart
A broken promise or a broken heart
Now all the bonnie birds have wheeled away
I need you at the dimming of the day

Come the night you're only what I want
Come the night you could be my confidant

Come the night you're only what I want
Come the night you could be my confidant

I see you on the street in company
Why don't you come and ease your mind with me
I'm living for the night we steal away




I need you at the dimming of the day
I need you at the dimming of the day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Alison Krauss & Union Station's "Dimming of the Day" tell a story of a person who is struggling with their life falling apart around them. The phrases "This old house is falling down around my ears" and "I'm drowning in a river of my tears" paint a picture of someone who is overwhelmed with their situation, feeling like they are being pulled under by everything that is happening. However, in the midst of the darkness, the person has found someone who can hold them up when they feel like they can no longer stand, when "all my will is gone you hold me sway." This person is a source of strength and stability in a time of chaos.


The lyrics also express the deep connection that exists between the two people, with the lines "You pull me like the moon pulls on the tide, you know just where I keep my better side." The love between them is so strong that even when they are apart, the person still feels like they need the other in their life. In the end, they long for the moments when they can be together, "living for the night we steal away" and "I need you at the dimming of the day."


Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of a person's need for love and connection during the hard times in life. It captures the sense of vulnerability that comes with feeling like everything is falling apart, and the hope that can be found in the midst of the darkness.


Line by Line Meaning

This old house is falling down around my ears
My life is in shambles, everything is falling apart.


I'm drowning in a river of my tears
I am overwhelmed with sadness and feel like I'm suffocating in my own emotions.


When all my will is gone you hold me sway
When I feel like I have nothing left, you are the only thing that keeps me grounded.


I need you at the dimming of the day
I need you when things get dark and difficult.


You pull me like the moon pulls on the tide
I am drawn to you as if by a force of nature that cannot be ignored.


You know just where I keep my better side
You understand the best parts of me.


What days have come to keep us far apart
What circumstances have arisen to keep us from being together.


A broken promise or a broken heart
Did we make a promise we couldn't keep or did our love fall apart?


Now all the bonnie birds have wheeled away
All the beautiful things in life seem to have disappeared.


I need you at the dimming of the day
I need you when everything seems bleak and hopeless.


Come the night you're only what I want
At night, all I want is to be with you.


Come the night you could be my confidant
You could be the one I confide in when I am feeling lost and alone.


I see you on the street in company
I see you when you are out with other people.


Why don't you come and ease your mind with me
Why don't you come be with me and find peace of mind?


I'm living for the night we steal away
I am looking forward to the night when we can be alone together.


I need you at the dimming of the day
I need you when the day is ending and the darkness is closing in.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@RichardFeynmanRules

This old house is falling down around my ears
I'm drowning in a river of my tears
When all my will is gone you hold me sway
I need you at the dimming of the day

You pull me like the moon pulls on the tide
You know just where I keep my better side

What days have come to keep us far apart
A broken promise or a broken heart
Now all the bonnie birds have wheeled away
I need you at the dimming of the day

Come the night you're only what I want
Come the night you could be my confidant

I see you on the street in company
Why don't you come and ease your mind with me
I'm living for the night we steal away
I need you at the dimming of the day
I need you at the dimming of the day



All comments from YouTube:

@liegebricking

Lovely version of a song from one of the greatest singer songwriters and guitarists ever .Richard Thompson. Bless him

@bernicewalsh3432

I had an emotional breakdown for 5 days when I first heard this song. At 24 my heart was broken and in my 40’s he still upsets me. When he says ‘this is my ex’ it’s like a huge dagger penetrates my heart and twists!!! This is my song for sure.

@telboy1966manu

Jerry's dobro and Alison's voice turn this beautiful song into something truly sublime and magical

@01Spacemanspiff

If this Alison's version of this song doesn't break your heart, you are heartless.

@stevealsford1723

And if it does break your heart then you will also be heartless!

@solitaryman8602

Great version for a new generation who haven't heard the original or Bonnie Raitts highly acclaimed version which songwriter Richard Thompson said was his favourite. Achingly beautiful, this is one of the greatest songs ever written on the subject of unrequited love.

@paulcoomber4009

Beautiful rendition of a beautiful Richard Thompson song

@stevealsford1723

A polished, iridescent gem of a recording. As a version of one of Richard Thompson's finest songs, this is an adorable and admirable work of art from all of the musicians here.
Kudos and congrats to Alison and the whole of the USA.
(Union Station of Alison)

@glynnarogers2634

Alison has an angelic voice...ethereal! 🙏💖😇

@artpriebe

One of her very best! What a precious angel!

More Comments

More Versions