Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
Cole Porter Lyrics


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Every time we say goodbye, I die a little
Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little
Why the gods above me, who must be in the know
Think so little of me that they allow you go

When your near there's such an air of Spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it
There's no love song finer but how strange
The change from major to minor




Every time we say goodbye

Overall Meaning

Cole Porter's Every Time We Say Goodbye is a heart wrenching song that expresses the pain and loss felt every time two people have to part ways. The repetition of the phrase "Every time we say goodbye" emphasizes the impact of these separations, making it clear that it is something that never gets easier. The singer then goes on to describe how they die a little bit inside every time they have to say goodbye, expressing just how deeply these losses hurt.


The next stanza further emphasizes this point, as the singer wonders why they have to feel this way. They question the gods above, asking why they allow someone they care for so deeply to leave. It showcases the sense of helplessness that comes with loving someone - the feeling that you cannot control what happens to them and that the forces of the universe seem to be conspiring against you.


The final stanza further emphasizes the beauty of being together, especially through the metaphor of Spring, a season often associated with renewal and growth. The lark's song represents the beginning of something new, another chance to be with the person they love. However, this fake sense of hope is short lived as the song's minor key change reminds us that every time they part ways, it is just as painful as the last.


Overall, this song is a relatable and deeply emotional depiction of the pain and confusion that comes with separation from someone you love deeply.


Line by Line Meaning

Every time we say goodbye, I die a little
Each parting leaves me feeling a little more dead inside


Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little
Each farewell makes me question a little more why this must be so


Why the gods above me, who must be in the know
I cannot fathom why the divine powers above have allowed this to happen


think so little of me that they allow you go
It seems they hold my worth in such low regard that they permit your departure


When your near there's such an air of Spring about it
When you're close, it feels like the season of Spring is in the air


I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it
I can almost hear a bird singing joyfully about our closeness


There's no love song finer but how strange
There's no greater expression of love, yet it's peculiar


The change from major to minor
How a song can shift from a major key to a minor key, reflecting the sadness of our parting


Every time we say goodbye
With each goodbye, the pain and sorrow only grows stronger




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Daniela Alejandra

Lyrics:
Everytime we say goodbye, I die a little,
Everytime we say goodbye, I wonder why a little,
Why the Gods above me, who must be in the know.
Think so little of me, they allow you to go.
When you're near, there's such an air of spring about it,
I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it,
There's no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to
Minor,
Everytime we say goodbye.
When you're near, there's such an air of spring about it,
I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it,
There's no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to
Minor,
Everytime we say goodbye



All comments from YouTube:

manzanaroja

Maravillosa interpretacion de Cole Porter..las palabras no logran describir la gama de sensaciones que nos obsequia.......

carmel gleeson

Everttime we play this great Cole Porter song we realise what a real classic it it!!!! Cole Porter was the greatest.

manzanaroja

Maravillosa interpretaion de Cole Porter, no, no hay palabras que puedan descifrar toda la gama de sensaciones a las que nos transporta.....

George Shepherd

Incredible as this may seem, the only version of this song I have heard before now was by Simply Red and I have to say that Cole Porter's version is superior. Thanks for posting it.

MrSteven2945

one of the greatest tune ever written ,... if any body interested listen to john coltrane version ... absolutely stunning

popochon

MrSteven2945 I didn’t know it. Thank you, very good indeed

Norma Herrera

Bella cancion...perdi hace muy poco a la persona que mas he amado en mi vida...y es verdad la letra...morimos un poquito con cada perfida...

Mythagoras

this is beyond lovely

Palermo Huerto

Love your version, Andres Ascenio.

Daniela Alejandra

Lyrics:
Everytime we say goodbye, I die a little,
Everytime we say goodbye, I wonder why a little,
Why the Gods above me, who must be in the know.
Think so little of me, they allow you to go.
When you're near, there's such an air of spring about it,
I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it,
There's no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to
Minor,
Everytime we say goodbye.
When you're near, there's such an air of spring about it,
I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it,
There's no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to
Minor,
Everytime we say goodbye

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