High Noon
Frank Ifield Lyrics
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On this, our weddin' day
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Wait, wait along
I do not know what fate awaits me
I only know I must be brave
And I must face a man who hates me
Or lie a coward in my grave
Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
Look at that big hand move along
Nearin' high noon
He made a vow while in state prison
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
I'm not afraid of death but oh
What will I do if you leave me?
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
You made that promise as a bride
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin'
Now that I need you by my side
Wait along, (wait along) wait along
Wait along, wait along
(Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along)
Frank Ifield's song "High Noon" is a powerful ballad that captures the fears and anxieties of a man on his wedding day. The singer begs his bride not to forsake him and to wait for his return. He fears for his life as he must confront a man who hates him and has vowed to kill him. The singer must choose between love and duty, and he worries about losing his fair-haired beauty. Time is running out, and the big hand moves closer to high noon. The singer contemplates his fate and the possibility of dying in the hands of his enemy, but what worries him most is the thought of his bride leaving him.
The lyrics describe the inner turmoil of the singer, who is torn between his love for his bride and his duty to face his adversary. The repetition of the plea, "do not forsake me, oh my darling," creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The singer's vulnerability is emphasized by his admission that he doesn't know what fate awaits him, but he must be brave. The line, "Or lie a coward, a craven coward, Or lie a coward in my grave" shows that the singer would rather face death than dishonor. However, it is evident that his priorities have shifted since he met his bride. He fears losing her more than dying.
Line by Line Meaning
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Do not leave me, my love.
On this, our weddin' day
Today is our wedding day.
Wait, wait along
Please wait for me.
I do not know what fate awaits me
I am uncertain what might happen to me.
I only know I must be brave
I know I need to be courageous.
And I must face a man who hates me
I need to confront someone who despises me.
Or lie a coward, a craven coward
Or I'll seem like a coward.
Or lie a coward in my grave
Or I'll die a coward's death.
Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty
It's difficult to choose between love and responsibility.
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
What if I lose the one I love the most?
Look at that big hand move along
Time is moving quickly.
Nearin' high noon
It is almost noon.
He made a vow while in state prison
He promised while he was in jail.
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
He promised he would kill me or he would die.
I'm not afraid of death but oh
I am not scared of dying, but...
What will I do if you leave me?
What will I do if you abandon me?
You made that promise as a bride
You made that vow when we were married.
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin'
Even if you are sad, don't think of departing.
Now that I need you by my side
I need you by my side now.
Wait along, (wait along) wait along
Please wait for me.
Wait along, wait along
Wait for me.
(Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along)
Please wait for me.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Shapiro Bernstein & Co Inc, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind