When the Sun Goes Down
Clark Jr. Gary Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the evening, mama
When the sun goes down
In the evening, baby
When the sun goes down
Well, ain't it lonesome
Ain't it lonesome, babe
When your love is not around?
When the sun goes down

Last night, I laid a-sleeping
I was thinking to myself
Last night, I laid a-sleeping
I was thinking to myself
Well, what I been thinking
Is why that the one that you love
Will mistreat you for someone else?
When the sun goes down

The sun rises in the east
An it sets up in the west
The sun rises in the east, mama
An it set's in the west
Well, it's hard to tell, hard to tell
Which one will treat you the best
When the sun goes down

'Yea-ah'
'Ooo-ee, hoo-wee'
'Yea-ah'
'Hee, hoo-oh'
'Yea-hi'
'Hoo, hoo-eee'

Good-bye old sweetheart and pals
Yes, I'm going away
But I may be back to see you again
Some old rainy day
Well, in the evening, in the evening




When the sun goes down
When the sun goes down.

Overall Meaning

"When The Sun Goes Down" by Clark Jr. Gary is a song that talks about the loneliness one feels when their lover is not around. The song expresses the emptiness of an evening and how difficult it is to live when a lover's company is not there to fill the emptiness. The lyrics evoke a feeling of melancholy and pain, as the singer laments about his lost love. He wonders why the person he loved, chose someone else.


The song also talks about the fickleness of love. The singer compares the nature of the sun to that of love - the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, but one can never predict which direction love will take. This analogy paints a picture of those who love without knowing where the relationship will end up. Despite the heartbreak and emptiness, the singer remains hopeful and promises to come back again.


Overall, "When The Sun Goes Down" is a beautiful song that captures the complexities of love and loss. The lyrics express the intense emotions of loneliness, heartbreak, and hope.


Line by Line Meaning

In the evening, mama
As night falls, addressing an older female figure in a respectful, endearing way.


When the sun goes down
Referring to the time of day when the sun sets and darkness begins.


In the evening, baby
As night falls, addressing a younger female figure in a loving, caring way.


Well, ain't it lonesome
Expressing sadness and longing, acknowledging the feeling of loneliness.


Ain't it lonesome, babe
Reiterating the feeling of loneliness, addressing a loved one or potential partner in a tender way.


When your love is not around?
Asking a rhetorical question, emphasizing the importance of the presence of love and loved ones in one's life.


Last night, I laid a-sleeping
Reflecting on a recent experience of going to sleep.


I was thinking to myself
Clarifying that the reflection was an internal, personal process.


Well, what I been thinking
Introducing the content of the reflection, implying a significant thought process.


Is why that the one that you love
Raising a question about the behavior of someone's beloved.


Will mistreat you for someone else?
Posing a difficult question about the nature of love and loyalty, implying confusion and frustration.


The sun rises in the east
Making a factual statement about the movement of the sun in relation to the Earth.


An it sets up in the west
Continuing to clarify the daily movement of the sun for emphasis.


Well, it's hard to tell, hard to tell
Admitting uncertainty despite apparent patterns, implying a lack of control or predictability in life.


Which one will treat you the best
Raising a question about unpredictable nature of life and relationships.


Good-bye old sweetheart and pals
Saying farewell to dear friends and possibly a love interest.


Yes, I'm going away
Confirming the departure suggested in the previous line.


But I may be back to see you again
Adding a hopeful note of a possible reunion in the future.


Some old rainy day
Qualified the context of a possible future reunion, implying that it might take difficult or unpleasant circumstances for it to occur.


Well, in the evening, in the evening
Returning to the original theme of the song, emphasizing the significance of the evening and the accompanying emotions.


When the sun goes down
Repeating the refrain and concluding the song.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEON L. N. CARR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions