Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
Dinah Washington & Dinah Washington Lyrics
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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, 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,
Every time 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,
Every time we say goodbye.
The lyrics of Dinah Washington's song "Every Time We Say Goodbye" describe the torment and pain of someone who is deeply in love with someone that they cannot be with. The repetition of the phrase "Every time we say goodbye" reinforces the idea that each goodbye is like a little death for the singer. The opening line, "I die a little" sets the tone for the song, highlighting the heartache that comes with separation. The singer cannot help but wonder why they are being abandoned by the person they love, and why fate is being so unkind to them. The use of the phrase "gods above me" suggests a higher power at work, one which the singer does not understand.
Despite the sadness of the song, there is also a sense of beauty and wonder. When the subject of the singer's affections is near, there is an "air of spring" about them – a feeling of renewal and possibility. The use of the metaphor of the lark beginning to sing reinforces this idea and adds a sense of optimism to the lyrics. The line "There's no love song finer" suggests that despite the pain of separation, the singer values their love and cherishes it as something special. However, the final line of the song – "how strange the change from major to minor" – underscores the bittersweet nature of love and loss. The shift from a major chord to a minor chord suggests a shift from joy to sorrow, which mirrors the singer's emotional journey throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time we say goodbye, I die a little,
Whenever we part ways, it feels like a small part of me dies.
Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little,
Each time we say farewell, I can't help but ponder the reasons behind it.
Why the gods above me, who must be in the know.
I often wonder why the higher powers, who presumably have more insight, would allow this to happen.
Think so little of me, they allow you to go.
I feel like the deities don't hold me in high enough regard to keep you by my side.
When you're near, there's such an air of spring about it,
Whenever you're close, it feels like springtime in the air.
I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it,
I can almost picture a bird joyfully singing when you're near.
There's no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to minor,
Our love is beautiful, but it's unsettling how it can quickly shift from a happy major key to a sad minor key.
Every time we say goodbye.
Our separations always leave me with a sense of loss and sadness.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind