While My Lady Sleeps
Chet Baker Lyrics


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The moon will rise
but all in vain
for there's no use in shining
while my lady sleeps
the breeze will sing
a sadain
because of heart is pining
while my lady sleeps
starlight and moonlight
and every melody wasted
what can they mean
when i'm yearning for kisses never tasted
the night may hold a million dreams
but when her eyes discovered
just a lonely lover
she will hurry on
with a sight to the dawn




while the world weeps
and my lady sleeps

Overall Meaning

In Chet Baker's song "While My Lady Sleeps," the singer laments the futility of the natural world and its beauty in the face of his unrequited love. The moon, breeze, starlight, and every melody are rendered pointless because he yearns for "kisses never tasted." The night, with its countless possibilities for dreams, is yet "discovered" by his "lonely lover," who hurries on to the dawn while he remains behind, weeping for her.


The lyrics paint a melancholy picture of unrequited love and missed opportunities. The singer desires intimacy and connection with his lady, but she remains asleep and unaware of his desires. This serves to heighten his ache and amplify the disappointment of every missed chance.


This song is striking in its simplicity and is carried by Chet Baker's signature silky-soft voice. His delivery captures the sense of longing and adds to the mournful quality of the lyrics. The lack of instruments underscores the sense of intimacy, with only a piano accompaniment that is subtle and subdued.


Line by Line Meaning

The moon will rise
The cycle of the moon continues as usual


but all in vain
It's useless for the moon to rise because his lady is sleeping


for there's no use in shining
The moon's light is wasted because it's not shining on his lady


while my lady sleeps
His lady is asleep and he's longing for her


the breeze will sing
The wind is blowing and making mournful sound


a sadain
It's a mourning song for his broken heart


because of heart is pining
He's yearning for his lady and feeling down because he can't have her


while my lady sleeps
His lady is still asleep and he's consumed with desire for her


starlight and moonlight
The beauty of the night sky is lost on him


and every melody wasted
He can't appreciate any music or sounds without his lady


what can they mean
Without his lady, all of the natural and musical beauty in the world is meaningless to him


when i'm yearning for kisses never tasted
He desires his lady more than anything in the world and can't bear not having her affection


the night may hold a million dreams
The night is full of possibilities, but he can't focus on anything but his lady


but when her eyes discovered
When his lady wakes up and sees him, he hopes she'll take pity on his heart


just a lonely lover
He feels lost and alone without his lady by his side


she will hurry on
He hopes his lady will quickly come to his side and comfort him


with a sight to the dawn
Together, they will watch the sunrise and start a new day together


while the world weeps
The rest of the world may be experiencing tragedy and sadness, but in that moment, he only cares about his happiness with his lady


and my lady sleeps
In the end, his lady is still asleep and he's hopeful he'll be with her soon




Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Alexandra De Castro

Beautiful ❤️

Pierre Yarid

joe walsh

the magic for lover