When I'm Gone
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics


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And as people stand around. watchin' me
Knowin' that I have to go.
I keep thinkin' of times we used to know.
I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone -

As I'm leavin'. I won't say goodbye.
Sad farewells are not for me.
I'll just wonder if this is what should be.
And I wonder what will happen to me?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone.

I will wander through the countryside.
Havin' nothin' else to do.
I won't think a thought .
My mind is turnin' blue.




And I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Black Oak Arkansas's song, "When I'm Gone", describe the thoughts and emotions of the singer as they prepare to leave and wonder about what will happen to their loved ones once they are gone. The singer is aware of the people standing around, watching them leave and aware of their own impending departure. As they think about the past memories, they wonder what will happen to their loved ones when they are gone. The lyrics convey a deep sense of sadness and uncertainty as the singer contemplates the future.


The chorus of the song, "When I'm gone. When I'm gone", emphasizes the finality of the situation, and how the singer's departure will lead to irreversible changes in the lives of everyone around them. The second verse of the song further highlights the singer's sense of detachment as they describe their future plans of wandering through the countryside with no real purpose to their existence. While the singer tries to maintain a sense of stoicism about their departure, the lyrics suggest a deep sense of melancholy and despair.


Overall, "When I'm Gone" is a poignant and emotional song that explores themes of mortality, loss, and the impact of our actions on those around us.


Line by Line Meaning

And as people stand around. watchin' me
Observing those who are watching me


Knowin' that I have to go.
Being aware that my time has come


I keep thinkin' of times we used to know.
Reflecting on the past memories


I wonder. What will happen to you?
Questioning the future of those left behind


When I'm gone. When I'm gone -
Repeating the inevitable future event of death


As I'm leavin'. I won't say goodbye.
Choosing not to express farewell sentiments


Sad farewells are not for me.
Expressing personal preference for not saying goodbye


I'll just wonder if this is what should be.
Questioning the necessity of death


And I wonder what will happen to me?
Pondering one's own afterlife


When I'm gone. When I'm gone.
Reiterating the expected outcome of death


I will wander through the countryside.
Describing the activity after death


Havin' nothin' else to do.
Expressing that there are no other options or obligations


I won't think a thought .
Suggesting a state of emptiness or inactivity


My mind is turnin' blue.
Metaphorically expressing negativity or depressiveness


And I wonder. What will happen to you?
Reiterating the concern for the future of loved ones


When I'm gone. When I'm gone.
Repeating the inevitable outcome of death




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICK REYNOLDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

magna carta

Lyrics:
And as people stand around. watchin me
Knowin that I have to go
I keep thinkin of times we used to know
I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone -

As I'm leavin. I won't say goodbye
Sad farewells are not for me
I'll just wonder if this is what should be

And I wonder what will happen to me?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone

I will wander thru the countryside
Havin nothin' else to do
I won't think a thought
My mind is turnin blue
And I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone



All comments from YouTube:

nothingelse tolose

Black Oak Arkansas formerly known as "The Nobody Else" was one of the most talented and just incredible musicians who spawned the careers of some of the most well known musicians in history while themselves kind of staid in the background and just when you think you've heard all they had of offer musically another incredible song appears it's like magic

joseph esposito

WELL SAID! THEY SOUND LIKE THE DORRS HERE! EVEN BETTER! BRILLIANT MUSICIANS...SO AHEAD OF THEIR TIME AND STILL BETTER THAN ANY OF TODAYS BANDS....

mdfslfllf101

Jim Mangrum,what a voice.

Kathy Raymelle S.

mdfslfllf101 I know, you either love it, or hate it. I love it. I'm lucky.

g medeiros

The band BOA is the greatest southern rock band that ever appeared.
In fact no other southern rock band will ever replicate this bands sound because the world will never have another Jim Dandy.
The band members likewise.

joseph esposito

Absolute geniuses! What super natural beauty comming from this naughty raunchy band, at the same time heads & tails more talented than ANY other band! They sound like the doors here!

Kathy Raymelle S.

It's always beautiful, the words, the words. ❤

KaptSonic22

Yes, very sweet sounds from Arkansas. BTW, they were known as "The Knowbody Else"

magna carta

Lyrics:
And as people stand around. watchin me
Knowin that I have to go
I keep thinkin of times we used to know
I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone -

As I'm leavin. I won't say goodbye
Sad farewells are not for me
I'll just wonder if this is what should be

And I wonder what will happen to me?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone

I will wander thru the countryside
Havin nothin' else to do
I won't think a thought
My mind is turnin blue
And I wonder. What will happen to you?
When I'm gone. When I'm gone

Shovel trouble

When I was 14 I would go with my big brother to listen to the Nobody Else in the old Legion Hut in Paragould Arkansas.
JR Brewer was the best lead they ever had

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