A Dear John Letter
Bobby Bare feat. Skeeter Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another dear John
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
But then I opened up the letter and that started dear John
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
But tonight I wed your brother dear John
And tonight I wed another dear John
The song "A Dear John Letter" is a heartbreaking tale of infidelity and betrayal. The lyrics are written as a letter from a woman named Jean, who is informing her distant lover John that she has fallen out of love with him and has decided to marry someone else. The song begins with Jean expressing her sorrow at having to write the letter to John, acknowledging that her love for him has withered away "like grass upon the lawn." She then delivers the devastating news that she is getting married that very night.
The second verse of the song is a flashback to when John was overseas fighting in a war. The postman arrives with a letter for John, and he is excited to hear from his beloved Jean. However, as he reads the letter, he discovers that Jean has fallen out of love with him and requests that he send back her picture. She then drops the bombshell that she is marrying someone else, who happens to be John's own brother. The song ends with Jean reiterating the news that she is getting married that very night, leaving John heartbroken and alone.
Overall, "A Dear John Letter" is a poignant and emotional song that deals with themes of love, loss, and betrayal. The simple melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a classic country hit, and it continues to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear John oh how I hate to write dear John I must let you know tonight
I feel bad about writing this note, but I need to tell you that my love for you has faded away and I cannot continue our relationship
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
My feelings for you have withered and vanished, just like how the grass dies on a lawn
And tonight I wed another dear John
I am getting married tonight, but unfortunately not to you
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
I was fighting a war far away from home when I received this letter
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
I was delighted to receive a letter from you, hoping for good news
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
I thought the war had ended and was looking forward to returning home
But then I opened up the letter and that started dear John
The letter I received from you began with the phrase 'Dear John', signaling the end of our relationship
Won't you please send back my picture my husband wants it now
Kindly send me back my photograph, my new husband wants to have it
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
I know you won't be happy to hear who I'm marrying, so it doesn't matter if I tell you or not
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
It pains me to inform you that my affection for you has disappeared
But tonight I wed your brother dear John
I am marrying your brother tonight instead of you
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY BARTON, CHARLES FUZZY OWENS, LEWIS A. TALLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dunhillan8360
Skeeter
Dear John, oh how I hate to write
Dear John, I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another, dear John.
Bobby
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
But then I opened up the letter and that started, dear John
Won't you please send back my picture my husband wants it now
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
But tonight I wed your brother, dear John.
Skeeter
And tonight I wed another, dear John.
@mevb
The swedish version of this song has a monologue that goes like this: I was drafted, far from all honor and neatness. Every day I wrote to my fiancee but she didn't write that often. But one day, a letter came and when I overjoyed ripped it up I noticed that it formally began with "Dear John. Would you send back my photo, for my future husband wants it." The guys at the hatch thought it was a bummer since I only lived for her. And you know about guys, they gatheted all the pictures they had of girls and made me write this: " I don't remember how you look. Please choose your photo and send back the others. Signed, Your dear John."
@juditjuhasz9395
It's good for my heart that you wrote this. Thx : )
@Rcaneneophyte8906
My parents were fans of Skeeter Davis. I grew up listening to this song, my dad was always sad whenever this song played & I never knew why. 30 years later this song still strikes a melancholic chord with me after my ex of 13 years left me to marry some guy off a dating app while I was posted abroad...Sad songs always tell a story dad...now I understand.
@piusokwu3560
Like, if you are under 30 but love this song. You have an old soul.
@oluwaseunajose3474
This song has been living rent free in my heart for some days.. love it.
@sheryljones5207
Both Bobby and Skeeter sounded so well together. I sure miss singer and song writer's like this. They both were so talented.
@williamrolls8075
Hello Sheryl
@Alhajiakosaqueen
This song makes me remember my childhood days β¦ I miss u mum
@michillene
Remember this as a little girl,loved it then,love it now.Wonder how many actually lived this beautiful,sad song.
@charlesbritto2779
I loved this song and still do. Beautiful memories.