Autumn Leaves
Cole Nat King Lyrics


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The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song




But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Overall Meaning

In Cole Nat King's song Autumn Leaves, he uses the metaphor of falling leaves to symbolize lost love. The imagery of falling leaves drifting by the window creates a sense of nostalgia, and the use of different colors of leaves like red and gold evoke a sense of beauty and warmth. The singer then remembers the past when he used to be with his lover in the summer, and he recalls the sweet kisses and the warm touch of his lover's hands. The line "the sunburned hands I used to hold" is particularly poignant because it shows how much he misses the physical presence of his beloved.


As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges how the passing of time has made him feel lonely and helpless. He mentions that the days have grown longer, and soon he will hear the sad song of winter. However, there is a sense of bittersweetness as he confesses that he misses his darling the most when autumn leaves start to fall. This line signifies that the beauty of autumn also brings back memories of his lost love, and he can't help but feel the pain of separation.


Overall, Autumn Leaves is a beautiful song that captures the essence of love and loss. Through his poignant lyrics and soulful rendition, Cole Nat King delivers a timeless message about the fleeting nature of love and the enduring pain of separation.


Line by Line Meaning

The falling leaves drift by the window
I observe the leaves falling outside as they subtly move through the air


The autumn leaves of red and gold
I watch these leaves fall, in various shades of red and gold that typify the autumn season


I see your lips, the summer kisses
Recalling memories of kissing you in the summer months, I can vividly imagine your lips


The sun-burned hands I used to hold
As I reminisce, I also picture holding your hands which were sun-kissed from the previous warm season


Since you went away the days grow long
Since you departed, the length of each day seems to stretch onward and upward, becoming longer than before


And soon I'll hear old winter's song
Winter's arrival is imminent, and soon I will hear its cold, daunting melody


But I miss you most of all my darling
Above all else, my heart aches for you, my beloved


When autumn leaves start to fall
My yearning for you is intensified during the season when the leaves fall




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Springstoff GmbH, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jacques Prevert, Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@shellyfilippi

When I was a small child my father would pick me up and sing this. A wonderful memory. I miss you Dad. Forever your daughter Shelly.

@general5104

My Mother came up with a poem:
"For Heights and Depths
No Words can Reach
Music is the Soul's
Own Speech." M.E. Lee

Nat King Cole has always had a charisma that flowed with the music. They were ONE.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING !!!

@EywaDog..

She sounds like she really knows how to saulk a caulk.

@Jewelkat369

❤❤❤❤

@cliffordschmidt5019

My wife passed away 02/05/21. We were to celebrate our 39th anniversary on 04/19/21. I do miss her so much.

@gunpixelgun

I’m sorry to hear that Clifford, I wish you well

@theetruetolkienpatriot7701

I'm so happy that my mother named me Autumn 😊

@billstokes6740

Autumn is coming and I miss my Wife of 58 years.She was the love of my life.

@StrangeAttractor

Soldier on old boy and treasure the memories. Memories always seems clearest to me in autumn, golden like the leaves.

@mdheinze57

Bill Stokes: I am so sorry to hear about your wife! But for the love of God, please do NOT listen to this song...EVER. especially not in the fall. It makes me sad and my wife is alive and well! heartfelt condolences my friend.

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