I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry
Debbie Boone Lyrics


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Hear the lonesome whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I'm so lonesome I could cry

I've never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind a cloud
To hide its face and cry

Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die
That means he's lost the will to live
I'm so lonesome I could cry

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky




And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Debbie Boone is an emotional piece that explores the theme of loneliness. The lyrics use powerful metaphors to convey the depths of the singer’s grief. The whippoorwill bird, with its sorrowful cry, and the low whining of a midnight train, create a mood that is as lonely as it is haunting. The lyrics capture this feeling with the phrase “He sounds too blue to fly” (referring to the whippoorwill). Throughout the song, the singer describes the physical sensations of loneliness, such as the way time crawls by and the moon hides behind a cloud and cries.


The song also highlights the plight of the robin during the autumn season, where the fall of leaves symbolizes the loss of life. The lyrics beautifully capture the idea of losing the will to live, a sentiment that the singer shares when she says she is "so lonesome [she] could cry." The metaphor of the falling star lights up a purple sky, creating an image of beauty and majesty that stands in stark contrast to the singer's feelings of loneliness.


In conclusion, Debbie Boone's "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is a somber and introspective song that speaks to the deeply personal experience of loneliness. The lyrics are filled with vivid and poignant images that capture the depth of the singer's emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

Hear the lonesome whippoorwill
Listen to the sad song sung by the lonely whippoorwill


He sounds too blue to fly
His song is sad and mournful, indicating he too feels lonely


The midnight train is whining low
The sound of the train at night is adding to the sadness in the air


I'm so lonesome I could cry
Feeling so lonely that the tears are ready to fall


I've never seen a night so long
The night seems never-ending when feeling so alone


When time goes crawling by
Every second feels like an eternity when lonely


The moon just went behind a cloud
Even the moon is hiding its face, perhaps in sympathy or sorrow


To hide its face and cry
The moon seems to be crying in harmony with the singer's own sadness


Did you ever see a robin weep
Have you ever witnessed a bird crying?


When leaves begin to die
When the season changes and the leaves start to fall


That means he's lost the will to live
The robin has lost its spirit and will to continue on


I'm so lonesome I could cry
The feeling of loneliness is overwhelming and heartbreaking


The silence of a falling star
When a shooting star passes, it creates a moment of silence in the sky


Lights up a purple sky
The shooting star illuminates the sky with a purple glow


And as I wonder where you are
The singer is contemplating their separation from someone who is missed


I'm so lonesome I could cry
The sadness of being apart from the person they desire is causing immense pain




Contributed by Olivia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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