Farrell was born in Willimantic, Connecticut, but she moved at an early age to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, which she always publicly and affectionately called her home town.
Autumn Leaves
Eileen Farrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Nous vivions tous deux ensemble
Toi qui m'aimais moi qui t'aimais
Mais la vie separe ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable les pas des amants desunis
The song "Autumn Leaves" is about the changing of seasons and how it relates to lost love. The beginning lyrics refer to the falling leaves as they drift by the window, with the "autumn leaves of red and gold" symbolizing the changing colors in nature. The singer then reminisces about past summer kisses and holding hands with a former lover. The sadness of the breakup is felt in the line "since you went away the days grow long", and the impending winter serves as a reminder of the loneliness of that loss. However, the most emotional sentiment expressed in the song is the admission that the singer misses the lost lover most of all during the fall season when the leaves start to fall - a common metaphor for endings and farewells.
The final verse, sung in French, further adds to the theme of lost love. It translates to "it's a song that is like us, you loved me and I loved you, we lived together, you who loved me, and me who loved you. But life separates those who love each other ever so gently without a sound, and the sea erases the footsteps of the separated lovers on the sand." This verse expands on the theme of lost love and the idea that despite love being a powerful force, it is ultimately fleeting and can be forgotten over time.
Line by Line Meaning
The falling leaves drift by the window
The leaves are gently falling from the trees and floating past the window.
The autumn leaves of red and gold
The leaves that are falling are colored in many shades of red and gold.
I see your lips, the summer kisses
I am reminded of the kisses we shared during the summer when I look at your lips.
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
I remember holding your hands during the sunny summer days, they were sunburned from spending time outside.
Since you went away the days grow long
Since you left me, the days seem to stretch on and on, making each one feel more difficult to get through.
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
Winter is approaching, and I will soon hear the sounds associated with the cold and dark season.
But I miss you most of all my darling
Out of all the things that I miss about you, my darling, I miss you the most.
When autumn leaves start to fall
It is during the time when the leaves are falling in autumn that I miss you the most.
C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
This song is a reflection of us and our love.
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
You loved me and I loved you, it was a mutual love.
Nous vivions tous deux ensemble
We lived together, just the two of us.
Toi qui m'aimais moi qui t'aimais
You loved me and I loved you, equally and deeply.
Mais la vie separe ceux qui s'aiment
Unfortunately, life has a way of separating even those who love each other.
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
It happens slowly, without any noise or fuss.
Et la mer efface sur le sable les pas des amants desunis
Like the tide erasing footprints on the sand, the sea of life washes away the memories of lovers who have been separated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind