Dog Days Are Over
Amber Riley & Jenna Ushkowitz Lyrics

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Happiness hit her like a train on a track
Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming so you better run

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters, and brothers
Leave all your love and your loving behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses?
'Cause here they come

And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too, oh

Run fast for your mother, and fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and your brothers
Leave all your love and your loving behind
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses?
'Cause here they come

(The dog days are over

The dog days are gone)
Here they come

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Dog Days Are Over" beautifully express how someone has been living in fear and hiding away from happiness, but it suddenly catches up with her like a train on a tracks. She has been hiding around corners, under beds, and running away from it, but it finally catches her. She overcomes the fear and chooses to run towards the happiness and let go of everything that has been holding her back. The lyrics inspire the listener to do the same: run fast for your mother, father, children, sisters, brothers, and leave all your love and loving behind if you want to survive.

The chorus to the song is particularly powerful. The phrase "dog days" refers to a period of inactivity and stagnation, but it is now over. The horses, which represent newfound energy and strength, are coming, and so, the singer must run. The song encourages the listener to leave behind everything that has been holding them back, even their loved ones, and focus on survival. The singer never wanted anything from anyone, but they took everything that was given to them and what was left after that too.

Line by Line Meaning

Happiness hit her like a train on a track
She was hit by a sudden wave of joy that was unstoppable.

Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back
She knew that the happiness was coming her way and there was no way to avoid it.

She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She tried to avoid the happiness that was coming her way.

She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
She embraced the happiness for a moment and then ran away from it.

The dog days are over
A difficult period of time has passed and things are getting better.

The dog days are done
A difficult period of time has passed and things are improving.

The horses are coming so you better run
A new challenge or opportunity is coming, and it's best to be prepared and ready to face it.

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Protect those who have nurtured and supported you throughout your life.

Run for your children for your sisters, and brothers
Be an example and provide for those who depend on you.

Leave all your love and your loving behind you
Don't let love hold you back from moving forward and achieving success.

Can't carry it with you if you want to survive
It's important to let go of things that can weigh you down and prevent you from moving forward.

And I never wanted anything from you
I never sought anything from you other than your genuine self.

Except everything you had
All I ever wanted was your complete honesty and everything that came with it.

And what was left after that too, oh
In addition to everything else, I wanted whatever else was left, and only the truth could reveal that.

Can you hear the horses?
A new challenge or opportunity is approaching.

'Cause here they come
Be ready to face the new challenge or opportunity that is just around the corner.

(The dog days are over
The difficult period of time has passed.

The dog days are gone)
The difficult period of time has ended.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Isabella Janet Florentina Summers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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