Beyond the Sunset
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard Lyrics
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Should you go first and I remain to walk the road alone
I'll live in memory's garden dear with happy days we've known
In spring I'll watch for roses red and shades of lilac blue
In early fall when the brown leaves fall then I'll catch a glimpse of you
Should you go first and I remain to finish with the scroll
We've known so much of happiness yes we've had our cup of joy
And memory is one gift of God that death cannot destroy
Should you go first and I remain there's one thing I'd have you do
Walk slowly down that long path for soon I'll follow you
I want you to know each step I take so that you may walk the same
For someday down that lonely road you'll hear me call your name
Beyond the sunset oh glad reunion with our dear loved ones who've gone before
In that fair homeland we'll know no parting beyond the sunset for evermore
The song Beyond The Sunset, originally recorded by Bill Anderson and Jan Howard, speaks about the inevitability of death and the hope for a joyful reunion in the afterlife. The lyrics are written from the perspective of someone left behind, remembering happy memories with their loved one and expressing their desire to follow them eventually. The imagery in the lyrics is of memory's garden, roses, lilacs, brown leaves, and a long path that they will walk together someday.
The first stanza indicates the grief of the person who remains after their loved one has passed away. They are certain that their memory will stay alive, and they will always cherish the time they spent together. The second stanza talks about how the memories will help them throughout their life, and they will be grateful for the time that they had in their company. The third stanza is about the hope and belief that they will meet again after death, and the sadness of being left behind is undone by the solace that they will meet each other again in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
Should you go first and I remain to walk the road alone
If you die before me and I am left alone to continue on in life...
I'll live in memory's garden dear with happy days we've known
...I will remember the wonderful moments we shared and keep them in my heart like a garden of sweet memories.
In spring I'll watch for roses red and shades of lilac blue
During the spring season, I will look for the blooming of red roses and lilac flowers...
In early fall when the brown leaves fall then I'll catch a glimpse of you
...and in early fall season, when the leaves of the trees fall to the ground, I will find you there, symbolized by the beauty of nature.
No lenghtening shadows shall creep in to make this life seem droll
If I am the one to pass away, I don't want sadness or depression to fill your life.
We've known so much of happiness yes we've had our cup of joy
We have been blessed with a lot of happy moments and we have tasted the sweetness of life together.
And memory is one gift of God that death cannot destroy
One thing that death cannot take away from us is our cherished memories made together - a valuable gift from God.
Should you go first and I remain there's one thing I'd have you do
If, unfortunately, you die before me, there is one thing I would like from you.
Walk slowly down that long path for soon I'll follow you
Please take your time when you walk the path to the afterlife, because I will be behind you soon enough.
I want you to know each step I take so that you may walk the same
I would like you to know about every step I take in my life so that you could follow them too.
For someday down that lonely road you'll hear me call your name
Because, on that lonely road to the afterlife, you'll hear me calling your name and calling out for you to wait for me.
Beyond the sunset oh glad reunion with our dear loved ones who've gone before
Beyond the sunset is a place where we can look forward to reuniting with our loved ones who've already passed away.
In that fair homeland we'll know no parting beyond the sunset for evermore
In this beautiful land, we will never have to say goodbye to our loved ones ever again, because the sunset would be never-ending and we'll live together there, forevermore.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C Hiller
I remember when Bill and Jan recorded this. I got a copy of the 8-Track and gave it to my dad. Thats how long ago this was recorded. hardly anyone now remembers 8 Track tape players. Dad played it until he wore out the tape. So I got him the record, which now i have since his passing.
Em.C. Spiteri
Loved this song, I have a feeling that I have heard this before.
Em.C. Spiteri
@Marcus Brazil She is fine, but she is away for the time.
Marcus Brazil
Me too, Em. LOL!!! you probably have, by many singers. Thanks so much. How's Jan doing?
ann stmarie
WOW! Just beautiful. Thanks Marcus