I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry
Elvis Presley/J.D. Sumner & the Stamps Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves began 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
I'm so lonesome I could cry

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to this song by Elvis Presley/J.D. Sumner & the Stamps speak to the universal experience of loneliness and heartbreak. The first stanza describes the sound of a winter bird that is so sad it seems unable to fly. This sets a melancholic tone for the rest of the song. The second stanza draws a parallel between the bird and the singer, suggesting that the singer too has lost the will to live due to the absence of a loved one. The final stanza turns to a falling star, which illuminates the night sky but only serves as a reminder of the person the singer is missing. The repetition of the titular phrase underscores the depth of the singer's loneliness.


The poetic language of the lyrics and the slow, mournful melody allow the singer to communicate intense emotion without being explicit about the situation that has led to their loneliness. This makes the song relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak or separation from a loved one. The imagery of the bird, the falling star, and the purple sky all conjure a sense of isolation and longing.


Line by Line Meaning

Hear that lonesome winter bird
Listening to the melancholy sound of a bird in winter


He sounds too blue to fly
The bird's sadness is so great that it seems unable to even take flight


The midnight train is whining low
The sound of a train in the distance, signaling a feeling of loneliness


I'm so lonesome I could cry
The artist is overwhelmed with feelings of isolation and sadness


Did you ever see a robin weep
Have you ever witnessed a bird shedding tears?


When leaves began to die?
A signifier of autumn, often indicative of the end of things


That means he's lost the will to live
The robin's tears signify a deep loss of hope, perhaps even a desire to die


I'm so lonesome I could cry
The artist is still feeling overwhelmingly lonely and sad


The silence of a falling star
The quietness that comes with a meteor streaking across the sky


Lights up a purple sky
The beauty of the star's light illuminating the night sky


And as I wonder where you are
The singer is contemplating the absence of someone they care about


I'm so lonesome I could cry
The feelings of isolation and sadness continue to persist




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions