I'll Be Seeing You
Frank Sinatra/Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra Lyrics
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In all the old, familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through
In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children's carousel
The wishing well
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely, summer's day
And everything that's bright and gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you
The song I'll Be Seeing You is a classic love song that is full of nostalgia and longing. It was written in 1938 by Irving Kahal and Sammy Fain, and became very popular during the Second World War, providing a bittersweet soundtrack for the soldiers and their loved ones. The song was then recorded by many artists, but it was made famous by Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey's rendition.
The lyrics themselves speak of the desire to see someone who is no longer there. The singer of the song is haunted by the memory of their loved one, and they can see them in all the familiar places they used to go together. The small cafe, the park across the way, the children's carousel, the chestnut tree, and the wishing well all remind them of their beloved. The singer also expresses how they will find the memory of their loved one in every lovely summer day and all things that are bright and gay. They hope to find them in the morning sun and even looking at the moon at night. The song is full of hope and promise that despite the distance, love remains present and alive.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be seeing you
I will always remember you and your memory will constantly be with me.
In all the old, familiar places
I will see you in all the familiar places we visited together and have shared memories of.
That this heart of mine embraces
My heart yearns for the places where we spent quality time together.
All day through
Throughout the day, my mind will be occupied with the memories of times spent with you.
In that small cafe
I will see you in that small cafe where we had our first date.
The park across the way
I'll remember you every time I pass by the park where we talked for hours under the shade of the big oak tree.
The children's carousel
I'll see you laughing together on the merry-go-round at the county fair.
The chestnut tree
The chestnut tree that stands tall and proud in the park where we shared our first kiss.
The wishing well
The wishing well where we tossed a coin together and wished for a future filled with love and joy.
In every lovely, summer's day
The beautiful and vibrant summer days will remind me of you.
And everything that's bright and gay
Every joyful moment and happy memory will bring back the image of you in my mind.
I'll always think of you that way
I'll always remember you as the light of my life, illuminating every moment with your presence.
I'll find you in the morning sun
I'll think of you first thing in the morning when the sun rises, as it reminds me of the warmth and love in your heart.
And when the night is new
Late at night, when the darkness seems to envelop everything, I'll still see you in my mind, happy and radiant.
I'll be looking at the moon
As I gaze at the moon, I'll be thinking of the countless beautiful moments we shared together, feeling blessed to have had you in my life.
But I'll be seeing you
Despite the distance and time between us, I will always carry your memory in my heart and never forget the love we shared.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Kahal, Sammy Fain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicholasschnackenberg8221
I've been listening to vintage music my entire life. I remember back when I was six years old every Saturday morning I'd wake up to my grandfather playing Hank Williams in his Ford in the downstairs garage. My grandmother would put on her Frank Sinatra records and I'd watch as the records rotated on the phonograph. Several years forward and a week before my Junior year of highschool, I stayed awake into the early hours of the morning listening to Sinatra and this song came on. Almost as soon as I heard the beginning of this song, I'd been overcome by emotion and my feelings were confirmed within the first few words of this dulcet song. It was about three in the morning. The sun no longer shines for my grandmother, however I know that whenever I listen to this song, she hears it too.
@njlillycline
Just imagine— the world when this was written. Lovers separated by vast oceans with no guarantee of ever seeing each other again due to the war. “I’ll be seeing you,” even if it’s in spirit.
@STho205
It was written in the 30s. It was a popular showtune in a failed Broadway play. This was the first big hit recording by Dorsey in 1940 with his new vocalist.
It is most famous because it fit the sentiment of the 40s after war broke out in the US. Almost every crooner covered it in 1944 due to the War Home Front movie in 44 by the same name.
One of my favorite songs. My parents listened to it when they saved the world.
@thepianoman6958
This song is wonderful, no matter if Liberace or Sinatra sings it!
@josephfollo7530
This was just the fifth song (out of 84 over 30 months) that Frank recorded with TD. I think that it's better than Bing's or Jo Stafford's version (recorded in 1944, whereas Frank's was cut 2/26/40). Excellent solos by TD and Johnny Mince. And a nice arrangement by Axel Stordahl (including a key change in the intro!). This is one of my favorite TD/FS recordings.
@STho205
I think this is close to the Broadway arrangement from the 30s.
The wartime US and Vera Lynn versions have a definite 40s sound with the band as mere backup.
@rustybeltway2373
Jo Stafford is good tho. She and Frank were in the vocal group The Pied Pipers. I think Dorsey used them, and that's where he stole Frank.
@NULLA_909
Ah, yes, The Stranger. Man, that guy is a genius, like an actual God at making music.
Both the original music and the album by Leyland Kirby are just so perfect...
@bluesbuy29
Great version of this song!
@STho205
This is probably close to the original Broadway arrangement in the 30s. I've never found a recording of it, but this has a real 30s Palm Court New York sound.