Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
Frank Ifield Lyrics
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Hold me each evening at your side.
Tell me you love me for a million years,
Then if it don't work out
Then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye...
Sweeten my coffee with a morning kiss
Soften my dreams with your sighs
Then if it don't work out
Then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye.
If you must go oh no I won't grieve
If you wait a life time before you leave.
But if you must go, Oooo I won't tell you no.
Just so that we can say we tried.
Tell me you love me for a million years...
Then if it don't work out
Then if it don't work out
Then you can tell me goodbye...
(Acuff Rose)
The lyrics of Frank Ifield's song "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" paint a picture of a deeply loving and committed relationship. The opening lines, "Kiss me each morning for a million years, hold me each evening at your side," set the tone for a love that spans across time. The repetition of the phrase "for a million years" emphasizes the unconditional and unrelenting nature of this love. The singer begs their partner to not only love them for the present moment but to continue to love them for a lifetime.
The chorus of the song, "Then if it don't work out, then if it don't work out, then you can tell me goodbye," suggests that despite the depth of the love between the two partners, there is a possibility that the relationship may come to an end. Rather than avoiding the reality of this, the singer acknowledges that it is a possibility and even gives their partner permission to leave if things don't work out. However, they also express hope that their love will endure even in troubled times.
The song ends with a poignant verse in which the singer tells their partner that they won't grieve if they must leave but emphasizes the importance of trying to make the relationship work. In this way, the song is a reminder that love is not always easy, and that it requires patience, commitment, and the willingness to work through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Kiss me each morning for a million years,
Cradle me with love every morning for an eternity
Hold me each evening at your side.
Wrap your arms around me every evening and never let go
Tell me you love me for a million years,
Assure me of your love for the rest of our lives and beyond
Then if it don't work out
In the unlikely event that things don't go as planned
Then you can tell me goodbye...
It's okay to end our relationship if we can't make it work
Sweeten my coffee with a morning kiss
Wake me up with your love and affection in every way possible
Soften my dreams with your sighs
Let your gentle sighs calm and soothe me as I sleep
If you must go oh no I won't grieve
I won't be sad if our time together comes to an end
If you wait a life time before you leave.
Take all the time you need to make sure you're doing the right thing
But if you must go, Oooo I won't tell you no.
I won't hold you back if you feel you need to move on
Just so that we can say we tried.
Let's give our love a chance and create beautiful memories together
Tell me you love me for a million years...
Promise to love me forever and make every moment count
Then if it don't work out
But if we can't make it work
Then if it don't work out
If our love doesn't last forever
Then you can tell me goodbye...
It's okay to say goodbye if our paths must diverge
Writer(s): John D. Loudermilk
Contributed by Mateo F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.