You Are My Sunshine
Bob Dylan/Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and I cried.
[Chorus]
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
Please don't take my sunshine away
I'll always love you and make you happy,
If you will only say the same.
But if you leave me and love another,
You'll regret it all some day:
[Chorus]
You told me once, dear, you really loved me
And no one else could come between.
But now you've left me and love another;
You have shattered all of my dreams:
[Chorus]
In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me
When I awake my poor heart pains.
So when you come back and make me happy
I'll forgive you dear, I'll take all the blame.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
The lyrics of "You Are My Sunshine" seem to be about someone who is deeply in love with another person, but that love is not reciprocated. The singer dreams of holding their loved one, but when they wake up, they are alone and realize that it was just a dream. The phrase "hung my head and cried" suggests that the person is deeply saddened by this realization.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea that the loved one is the sunshine of the singer’s life. Even when things are gray or difficult, the loved one brings joy and happiness. The phrase "please don't take my sunshine away" indicates a fear of losing this person, as they bring so much light into the singer's life.
The second verse talks about the singer’s commitment to making the loved one happy in return for their love, and the consequence of leaving the relationship. The third verse speaks of the loved one's broken promise, and a sense of shattered dreams. The final verse talks about how even in dreams, the loved one leaves, causing heartache.
Overall, "You Are My Sunshine" is a song about the pain of unrequited love and the fear of losing the person who brings light into one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I fell asleep and had a dream about you.
I dreamed I held you in my arms
In my dream, we were close and I felt your warmth.
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
Unfortunately, when I woke up, it was only a dream.
So I hung my head and I cried.
This realization made me sad and I was unable to hold back my tears.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You bring light to my life and make me happy.
You make me happy when skies are gray
Even when things are tough, you always find a way to make me smile.
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
I wish I could express to you just how much you mean to me.
Please don't take my sunshine away
Without you, my life would be dark and bleak.
I'll always love you and make you happy,
I promise to always love and care for you, and do whatever it takes to make you happy.
If you will only say the same.
It would mean the world to me if you felt the same way.
But if you leave me and love another,
If you decide to leave me for someone else,
You'll regret it all some day:
I'm afraid you will eventually realize the mistake you made.
You told me once, dear, you really loved me
You once told me that you loved me deeply.
And no one else could come between.
You promised that no one would ever come between us.
But now you've left me and love another;
But now you've broken that promise and are in love with someone else.
You have shattered all of my dreams:
Your actions have destroyed all of the hopes and dreams I had for us.
In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me
Even in my dreams, I can't escape the pain of you leaving me.
When I awake my poor heart pains.
When I wake up, my heart aches with the reality of your absence.
So when you come back and make me happy
If you were to come back to me and make things right,
I'll forgive you dear, I'll take all the blame.
I would be willing to forgive you and even take the blame for any troubles in our relationship.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You are the light that brightens up my life.
You make me happy when skies are gray
Even when things seem bleak, you always find a way to bring joy into my life.
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
I only hope that you will eventually understand just how much you mean to me.
Please don't take my sunshine away
Without you, my world would be dark and gloomy.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jimmie Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OVERMID
@@derpfluidvariant0916 My reaction to this comment: Lebron James
Boy oh boy where do I even begin. Lebron..
honey, my pookie bear. I have loved you
ever since I first laid eyes on you. The way
you drive into the paint and strike fear
into your enemies eyes. Your silky smooth
touch around the rim, and that gorgeous
jumpshot. I would do anything for you. I
wish it were possible to freeze time so I
would never have to watch you retire.
You had a rough childhood, but you never gave up hope. You are even amazing off the court, you're a great husband and father, sometimes I even call you dad. I forvever dread and weep, thinking of the day you will one day retire. I would sacrifice my ownlife it were the only thing that could puta smile on your beautiful face.
You have given me so much joy, and heartbreak over the years. I remember when you first left clevenland and its like my heart got broken into a million pieces. But a tear still fell frommy right eye when I watched you win yourfirst ring in miami, because deep down,my glorious king deserved it. I just wanted you to return home. Then allas, you did, my sweet baby boy came home and I rejoiced.
2015 was a hard year for us baby, but in
2016 you made history happen. You came
back from 3-1 and I couldn't believe it.
I was crying, bawling even, and I heard my
glorious king exclaim these words,
"CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!" Not only
have you changed the game of basketball
and the world forever, but you've eternally
changed my world. And now you're getting
older, but still the goat, my goat. I love
you pookie bear, my glorious king, Lebron
James.
@OVERMID
Lebron James
Boy oh boy where do I even begin. Lebron..
honey, my pookie bear. I have loved you
ever since I first laid eyes on you. The way
you drive into the paint and strike fear
into your enemies eyes. Your silky smooth
touch around the rim, and that gorgeous
jumpshot. I would do anything for you. I
wish it were possible to freeze time so I
would never have to watch you retire.
You had a rough childhood, but you never gave up hope. You are even amazing off the court, you're a great husband and father, sometimes I even call you dad. I forvever dread and weep, thinking of the day you will one day retire. I would sacrifice my ownlife it were the only thing that could puta smile on your beautiful face.
You have given me so much joy, and heartbreak over the years. I remember when you first left clevenland and its like my heart got broken into a million pieces. But a tear still fell frommy right eye when I watched you win yourfirst ring in miami, because deep down,my glorious king deserved it. I just wanted you to return home. Then allas, you did, my sweet baby boy came home and I rejoiced.
2015 was a hard year for us baby, but in
2016 you made history happen. You came
back from 3-1 and I couldn't believe it.
I was crying, bawling even, and I heard my
glorious king exclaim these words,
"CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!" Not only
have you changed the game of basketball
and the world forever, but you've eternally
changed my world. And now you're getting
older, but still the goat, my goat. I love
you pookie bear, my glorious king, Lebron
James.
@sedaedis8841
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I bowed my head and I cried
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You′ll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I′ve always loved you and made you happy
And nothing else could come between
But now you've left me, to love another
You have shattered all of my dreams
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don′t take my sunshine away
I always hated it (it was a nice short version)
You wanna re-, pick it up? (Nah, it′s alright) it's good?
We got a short version (mind you, there′s another verse on that tape)
Well, Cleveland, let's uh...
Well, if I feel like my song is sung, it don′t care
I don't care if it′s short
And I feel like my song is sung
It's pleasant, two minutes, I've recorded songs, two minutes
(They were huge hits) have you got the time on that?
@Mastajosue
When my newborn baby was in ICU due to lung problems, my wife and I used to visit him for 10 minutes everyday. We used to take 60 minutes to get to the hospital. One day, he was trying to cry, he was very tired. My wife left because she didn't want to see our son suffer so I started singing this song with a quivering voice. 43 days my boy was there, he is 9 months now and is strong as an oak. Never give up.
@pedromacedo7554
A very blessed child with a very moving life story
@fredhuffman3510
God bless you and your family!!
@ResinbyCat
Oh gosh I started to cry I am glad I didn't read different words..wow LOVELY STORY!!HUGS TO YOU WIFE N BABY!!
@natalieoldham9036
I sing this to my 10 month old son, ever since he has been in ICU. He was on breathing support for 8 days and in ICU and special care for 5.5 weeks. He is now almost walking and the sunshine of my life xx
@aliwali9301
How is he now?? I need an update :( He’s one year now!! happy belated birthday to him
@vernmarschall
My wife died last Tuesday. As she was taking her last breathe, I sang her this song.
@tomstokes3688
Vern Marschall beautiful. Hope you’ve found peace since
@michellelopez8502
¡Wow! Hugs for you.
@kasualalways8034
Sir, this comment is 10 months old. Today is my birthday. And when I saw this comment I cried. You have experienced true loss and I have nothing in my heart but hope for you and grief for your wife. My mother died when I was 11, and being 17 now, I understand. I'm sorry if this seems random and odd but I just want you to know that the feeling of love, is beautiful, never ever take it for granted. I wish you only the best, because losing a love like that can kill a man. Keep fighting, and never ever give up. She wants you to keep going. She loves you.