Lover
Dolly Parton; Linda Ronstadt; Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And say the old love's growin' yet
You've tried through all these weary years
You've tried to vainly to forget
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The lovin' heart you slighted then
Come close and let me see your face
Your raven hair is tinged with snow
Oh, yes, it is the same dear face
I loved so many years ago
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The lovin' heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend in perfect truth
Farewell, I think I love you yet
As friend to friend, God bless you dear
And guide you through these weary years
To where the skies are always clears
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The lovin' heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend in perfect truth
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The lovin' heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend in perfect truth
The lyrics to "Lover's Return," sung by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris, speak about the return of an old love. The singer feels conflicted upon the reunion with their old flame. The person who left them broke their heart, but after all these years, they have come back, and the lyrics seem to imply that their love for each other has rekindled.
The songwriter paints a picture of someone who has aged and aged well. The person who left has returned, but they are not young anymore. They try to rekindle the love they had long ago, but the singer acknowledges that time has changed them, and they cannot return to the past. Their youth and innocence are gone, and they cannot hold on to the love they once had.
The lyrics repeatedly mention how "God never gives us back our youth." It refers to the lyricist's belief that we cannot return to something that once was. What the person who left took from the singer was priceless, and they cannot give it back. The lyrics end with the singer parting ways, expressing forgiveness and wishing the person who left well.
Line by Line Meaning
And so you have come back to me
You have returned to me after a long time
And say the old love's growin' yet
You claim that our love still exists and is growing
You've tried through all these weary years
You have attempted to forget about me for years, but failed
You've tried to vainly to forget
Your efforts to forget me have been unsuccessful
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
I cannot forgive you just because you have returned
God never gives is back our youth
We cannot turn back time or regain our lost youth
The lovin' heart you slighted then
You hurt my loving heart in the past
Was yours, my friend in perfect truth
Despite the hurt, my love and friendship for you are true
Come close and let me see your face
Approach me so I can see your face after all these years
Your raven hair is tinged with snow
Your once-dark hair displays signs of gray
Oh, yes, it is the same dear face
I recognize your face despite the signs of aging
I loved so many years ago
The face I have always loved, even after all this time
Farewell, I think I love you yet
Even after this reunion, I am not sure if I love you or not
As friend to friend, God bless you dear
As friends, I hope God blesses you
And guide you through these weary years
May God guide you through the rest of your life
To where the skies are always clears
May you reach a peaceful place free of troubles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexander zero
[Verse 1]
And so you have come back to me
And say the old loves growing yet
You've tried through all these weary years
You've tried too vainly to forget
[Chorus]
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The loving heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend, in perfect truth
[Verse 2]
Come close and let me see your face
Your raven hair is tinged with snow
Oh, yes, it is the same dear face
I loved so many years ago
[Chorus]
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The loving heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend, in perfect truth
[Verse 3]
Farewell, I think I love you yet
As friend to friend, God bless you dear
And guide you through these weary years
To where the skies are always clears
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The loving heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend, in perfect truth
Ole Nielson
So sad that Ronstadt can no longer sing! ALL of these women are wonderful vocalists in their own right. Their album 'Trio' has to be one of the best ever collaborationist albums ever! All are captured at the top of their game for us to enjoy!
Wayne A White
Three of the MOST IMPORTANT voices in popular music 🎶
Paul R
Lindas voice is just amazing, the greatest female vocalist ever
Jan Love Makatea
You bet no other
TJ Wash
One of my favorites from this album, which arguably can’t hold a candle to the first trio album.
Pudding
This kind of songs are rare these days.. how sad the generations is I’ve always listened to this with mom while she play guitar n I sing along with her holding parts 😭
Alexander zero
[Verse 1]
And so you have come back to me
And say the old loves growing yet
You've tried through all these weary years
You've tried too vainly to forget
[Chorus]
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The loving heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend, in perfect truth
[Verse 2]
Come close and let me see your face
Your raven hair is tinged with snow
Oh, yes, it is the same dear face
I loved so many years ago
[Chorus]
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The loving heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend, in perfect truth
[Verse 3]
Farewell, I think I love you yet
As friend to friend, God bless you dear
And guide you through these weary years
To where the skies are always clears
Oh no, I cannot take your hand
God never gives is back our youth
The loving heart you slighted then
Was yours, my friend, in perfect truth
D. R. Greg
Thank you so much for the lyrics!😘
RHONTHUNGO ANDREAS
Very meaningful lyric with gorgeous voice,timeless song.Thank you.
Norma Garcia
I love this !!