Guilty
Dollar Brand / Abdullah Ibrahim Lyrics


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Though you've decided that our love is wrong
And think that we should part
It seems as though I have loved you so long
You'll always be in my heart.

Is it a sin
Is it a crime
Loving you dear like I do
If it's a crime then I'm guilty
Guilty of loving you.

Maybe I'm wrong dreaming of you
Dreaming the lonely night through
If it's a crime then I'm guilty
Guilty of dreaming of you

What can I do
What can I say
After I've taken the blame?
You say we're through
You'll go your way
But I'll always feel just the same.

Maybe I'm right
Maybe I'm wrong
Loving you dear like I do




If it's a crime then I'm guilty
Guilty of loving you.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Abdullah Ibrahim's song "Guilty" speak to the complicated nature of love and the difficulty of separating oneself from another person. The singer of the song acknowledges that their love is deemed wrong by society and that their partner wants to end things, yet cannot deny the depth and longevity of their feelings. The mention of sin and crime adds a sense of moral complexity to the situation, as though the societal condemnation of their love causes the singer to question its ethical implications. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a sense of helplessness and resignation, conveying the idea that love can be overwhelming and all-consuming despite the obstacles and consequences.


One interesting fact about the song is that it was written and performed under the artist's earlier name of Dollar Brand, which he later changed to Abdullah Ibrahim to reflect his Muslim faith. Additionally, the song was recorded in 1964 as part of the album "Dollar Brand Trio," which featured Brand's signature style of blending traditional African rhythms with jazz improvisation. "Guilty" has since become one of Brand's most beloved and iconic compositions, showcasing his skill as a pianist as well as his emotional depth as a lyricist.


Another interesting aspect of the song is its use in popular culture, as it has been covered by a wide range of artists across genres. Willie Nelson recorded a version for his 1968 album, "Good Times," which helped to popularize the song in the country music scene. The tune was also featured in the 1988 film, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," as part of the film's eclectic musical score. The song's universal themes of love, loss, and longing have resonated with audiences across generations and cultures.


The chords for "Guilty" are as follows:


Verse:
G B7 Em
Though you've decided that our love is wrong,
C Am D7
And think that we should part,
G B7 Em
It seems as though I have loved you so long,
C Am D7
You'll always be in my heart.


Chorus:
G B7 Em
Is it a sin, is it a crime,
C Am D7
Loving you dear like I do?
G B7 Em
If it's a crime, then I'm guilty,
C Am D7 G
Guilty of loving you.


Verse:
G B7 Em
Maybe I'm wrong dreaming of you,
C Am D7
Dreaming the lonely night through.
G B7 Em
If it's a crime then I'm guilty,
C Am D7
Guilty of dreaming of you.


Chorus:
G B7 Em
What can I do, what can I say,
C Am D7
After I've taken the blame?
G B7 Em
You say we're through, you'll go your way,
C Am D7 G
But I'll always feel just the same.


Verse:
G B7 Em
Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong,
C Am D7
Loving you dear like I do.
G B7 Em
If it's a crime then I'm guilty,
C Am D7 G
Guilty of loving you.


Line by Line Meaning

Though you've decided that our love is wrong
You have made the decision that our love should not be, and we should go our separate ways.


And think that we should part
You believe that we should end our romantic relationship and move on from one another.


It seems as though I have loved you so long
It feels like I have loved you for a very long time, and my feelings for you have not changed.


You'll always be in my heart.
You will always hold a special place in my heart, no matter what happens.


Is it a sin
Is it morally wrong or offensive


Is it a crime
Is it against the law or illegal


Loving you dear like I do
Feeling the strong emotions of love towards you that I do.


If it's a crime then I'm guilty
If loving you is illegal or morally wrong, then I am fully responsible for committing that crime.


Guilty of loving you.
My heart is full of love for you, and I willingly accept the consequences for that love.


Maybe I'm wrong dreaming of you
It may be foolish of me to daydream and fantasize about being with you.


Dreaming the lonely night through
Spending lonely nights dreaming of you and wishing we could be together.


Guilty of dreaming of you
I admit that I spend a lot of time dreaming of you, even though it may be unrealistic.


What can I do
What actions can I take to change the current situation?


What can I say
What words can I utter that will make things better for us?


After I've taken the blame?
After admitting that I am at fault and should take the blame for our situation, what more can I do?


You say we're through
You make it clear that our romantic relationship is officially over.


You'll go your way
You will move on with your life and leave me behind.


But I'll always feel just the same.
However, my feelings for you will never change, and I will always care for you deeply.


Maybe I'm right
Perhaps I am justified in feeling this way about you.


Maybe I'm wrong
Maybe my feelings and actions towards you are misguided or incorrect.


Loving you dear like I do
Despite the uncertainty surrounding my love for you, I still feel this way towards you.


If it's a crime then I'm guilty
If loving you is wrong, I accept the consequences for my actions and feelings towards you.


Guilty of loving you.
I am not ashamed of my love for you, and I will always be guilty of it.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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