In a little while you're leavin'
Starting on the journey home
Soon I'll be alone, the one who loves you
La la la la la, somewhere in the heart of Rome

I'll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you'll return
Minutes I'll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I'll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I'm not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

Suddenly the tears are falling
As we hear the whistle blow
Hold me very close before you leave me
La la la la la, somewhere in the heart of Rome

I'll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you'll return
Minutes I'll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I'll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I'm not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

I'll make a wish in every fountain
Say a prayer that you'll return
Minutes I'll be counting
May the fire of love still burn
I'll keep your picture by my pillow
And pretend I'm not alone
Make believe that you are with me
La la la la la, in the heart of Rome

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Heart of Rome," performed by Elvis Presley, is a sentimental ballad about a lover who is about to depart for home. The singer is filled with sadness, but he tries to hold on to hope and love, wishing that the fire of love will continue to burn even though the distance separates them. Rome adds a romantic touch to the song. He remembers the beautiful moments they spent together and encloses in between him and her a realm of pretense and imagination while he tries not to feel the solitude that awaits him.

The song captures the bittersweet essence of a love that is coming to an end. The singer takes comfort in the idea that his lover will return and imagines scenarios in which the two of them are reunited if only in his mind. His love is so powerful that he believes it can transcend the physical distance between them. The song's final verse finds the singer overwhelmed with emotions as he watches his lover leave. He implores her to hold him closely one last time, hoping that the memory will sustain him until they can be together again.

Line by Line Meaning

In a little while you're leavin'
You'll be leaving soon

Starting on the journey home
Starting your journey back home

Soon I'll be alone, the one who loves you
Soon I'll be alone, missing you, the one whom I love

La la la la la, somewhere in the heart of Rome
Singing, hoping and dreaming about you in the heart of Rome

I'll make a wish in every fountain
I'll make a wish for your return in every fountain

Say a prayer that you'll return
Praying for your return

Minutes I'll be counting
Counting the minutes until you return

May the fire of love still burn
Hoping that the fire of our love still burns strong

I'll keep your picture by my pillow
Keeping your picture close to me by my pillow

And pretend I'm not alone
Pretending that you are still here with me

Make believe that you are with me
Imagining that you are with me

Suddenly the tears are falling
Sudden tears flowing from my eyes

As we hear the whistle blow
Hearing the sound of the train whistle blowing

Hold me very close before you leave me
Holding me very close before you leave