Say You Will
Ben Harper°à¹þ²® Lyrics
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We won't have to be alone if you say you will
If you say you will, if you say you will
Like Marie Antoinette said to Louis XVI, "Man, I think we're going down. Our chances are slim
and none, and I'm afraid slim just left town."
Say you will, darling, won't you say you will?
Now you've had me hanging all on your line
But I know all too well, love ain't nothing but a worried mind
Say you will, darling, won't you say you will?
Won't you say you will? Darling, won't you say that you will?
I love you like a candle loves a flame
Like a crying man that has no shame
When you hit me, I feel no pain
Like the last days that remain, say you will
Darling, won't you say that you will?
Darling, won't you say that you will?
The song “Say You Will” by Ben Harper is a plea to his lover to stay the night and not leave him alone. The first verse begins with “Baby, say it’s alright if it takes all night” and goes on to say how they don't have to be alone if she says that she will stay. The repetition of the phrase “If you say you will” emphasises the need for reassurance and a commitment from his lover. The second verse references Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, with the line “Man, I think we’re going down” suggesting that the situation is hopeless, and the chances are slim, but he is still holding on to hope that she will stay.
The chorus continues with the plea for her to say that she will stay, and the use of “darling” suggests a level of intimacy between the two. Harper’s use of similes convey the intensity of his feelings for her, and the pain that he feels when she is not with him. The line “Like the last days that remain” evokes a sense of urgency, as though time is running out for them. The final line “Darling, won't you say that you will?” ends the song with an unanswered question, leaving the listener uncertain of whether or not she will stay.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, say it's all right if it takes all night
I'm willing to wait as long as it takes, just tell me everything is okay
We won't have to be alone if you say you will
If you promise to be with me, we won't have to face anything alone
If you say you will, if you say you will
I need you to make a commitment and follow through with it
Like Marie Antoinette said to Louis XVI, "Man, I think we're going down. Our chances are slim and none, and I'm afraid slim just left town."
Like the doomed queen, I fear our situation is dire and we're running out of options
Say you will, darling, won't you say you will?
I need to hear you promise me that you'll be there for me
Now you've had me hanging all on your line
I've been waiting for you to make a move and give me a sign that you're committed to us
But I know all too well, love ain't nothing but a worried mind
Love can be complicated and full of doubt and anxiety
I love you like a candle loves a flame
My love for you burns bright, like a candle's flame
Like a crying man that has no shame
I am open and vulnerable with my feelings for you
When you hit me, I feel no pain
Even if you hurt me, my love for you remains strong
Like the last days that remain, say you will
In these uncertain times, I need you to make a promise to me
Darling, won't you say that you will?
Please, tell me that you'll be there for me
Darling, won't you say that you will?
I need to hear it again, please promise me you'll stay
Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.