How Long's A Tear Take To Dry?
Beautiful South And The Housemartins Lyrics


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How long's a tear take to dry
When a woman has no breeze?
How long's a tear take to dry
When a woman, when a woman's on her knees?

How long's a tear take to dry
When a woman hasn't sinned?
How long's a tear take to dry
When the weather, when the weather brings no wind?

Look I'm sorry that I hurt you
You look a million dollars and a dime
Time's the greatest healer
But love's the greatest stealer of all time

I'm so sorry,
My heart's broken, (mine's the same)
I still love you (make it plural)
You're so sweet!
The flowers smell sweeter, the closer you are to the grave
The flowers smell sweeter, the closer you are to the grave

How long's a tear take to dry
When almighty brings is rain?
How long's a tear take to dry
And do tears, and do tears really stain?

This heart was like a tardis
I went and lost the key in a fight
I've never found a locksmith
Will you be my locksmith tonight?
(Will I shite)

I'm so sorry, (make it plural)
My heart's broken, (mine's the same)
I still love you (make it plural)
You're so sweet!
The flowers smell sweeter, the closer you are to the grave
The flowers smell sweeter, the closer you are to the grave

How long does sorry really last
Is it tattooed upon your heart?
Or is it hung in a museum
With your Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa ex-ass art?

I have no summer, (I'll buy you summer)
I'll buy July, if December makes you cry




A little or no trace face belies a lie of many days gone by
A little or no trace face belies a lie of many days gone by

Overall Meaning

The song "How Long's A Tear Take To Dry?" by Beautiful South And The Housemartins is a reflection on the human emotions and relationships. The song has a melancholic tone, and the lyrics talk about the time it takes for tears to dry up in different situations. The song’s opening verse asks how long it takes for tears to dry up when a woman has no breeze or when she's on her knees, which could be a metaphor for the difficulties she's facing in life.


The second verse talks about the time it takes for tears to dry up when a woman hasn't sinned or when the weather is still. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and questioning, taking into account that sometimes, even though we try our best, things don't seem to get better.


The chorus has a repetitive tone and talks about the theme of the song, describing how long it takes tears to dry when it's raining or if they stain. The song also talks about love and how it can sometimes hurt more than it heals. The lyrics suggest that apologies may not last long, like a tattoo on the skin or a painting in a museum. The last verse asks how much sorrow can one have and talks about buying summer in July and how the face can hide a lie.


Overall, the lyrics to "How Long's A Tear Take To Dry?" are metaphoric and thought-provoking, exploring the depths of human emotions and relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

How long's a tear take to dry
Asking how much time it takes for a woman's tears to dry.


When a woman has no breeze?
When a woman is alone and has no one to comfort her.


When a woman, when a woman's on her knees?
When a woman is overwhelmed and praying for help.


When a woman hasn't sinned?
When a woman is innocent and has done nothing wrong.


When the weather, when the weather brings no wind?
When there are no signs of change or hope in the situation.


Look I'm sorry that I hurt you
Apologizing for causing pain.


You look a million dollars and a dime
Complimenting the person's appearance.


Time's the greatest healer
Expressing that time helps ease emotional pain.


But love's the greatest stealer of all time
Suggesting that love can also cause pain and take away from a person.


When almighty brings is rain?
Asking how much time it takes for tears to dry when they are mixed with rain.


And do tears, and do tears really stain?
Questioning whether tears leave a lasting impact.


This heart was like a tardis
Comparing the heart to the TARDIS from Doctor Who (bigger on the inside).


I went and lost the key in a fight
Metaphorically expressing that they lost the ability to love fully after a fight.


I've never found a locksmith
Suggesting that they have not found someone to help fix their broken heart.


Will you be my locksmith tonight?
Asking if the person is willing to help fix their broken heart.


How long does sorry really last
Questioning how long an apology should remain valid.


Is it tattooed upon your heart?
Asking if the person who received the apology will always remember it.


Or is it hung in a museum
Asking if the apology will be remembered, but not taken to heart.


With your Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa ex-ass art?
Making a playful reference to the painting of the Mona Lisa.


I'll buy July, if December makes you cry
Promising to do anything to make the person happy - even changing the season.


A little or no trace face belies a lie of many days gone by
Suggesting that even if someone seems fine on the outside, they may be hiding their true feelings and past experiences.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE ROTHERAY, PAUL HEATON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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