Say Goodbye
Gilbert O’Sullivan Lyrics


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Say goodbye say good morning
Say good evening and good noon
Say hello tell me how you're feeling
Very well thanks and how are you

Say you did say you didn't
Say it's someone else instead
Say it's me would I be forgiven
Or is it something that I said
In spite of fears over what charges are proposed
In spite of tears over what secrets are disclosed
In spite of ears I have never heard you once complain

Sayonara konbanwa
Ohayo-gozaimasu kon-nichiwa
Kon-nichiwa gokigen-ikaga-desuka
Genki-desu arigato anatawa-ikaga-desuka

In spite of fears over inflation going up
In spite of tears over the breaking of a cup
In spite of years seems like it was only days ago

Say it is say it isn't
Say it's someone else instead
Say it's good when you don't like fishing
You just knock it on the heed
You just knock it on the heed

Say goodbye say good morning
Say good evening and good noon
Say hello tell me how you're feeling
Very well thanks and how are you

In spite of fears over a lack of crowd control
In spite tears over a bag that someone stole
In spite of years I have never seen you look so well

Sayonara konbanwa
Ohayo-gozaimasu kon-nichiwa




Kon-nichiwa gokigen-ikaga-desuka
Genki-desu arigato anatawa-ikaga-desuka

Overall Meaning

The song "Say Goodbye" by Gilbert O'Sullivan is a playful and whimsical tune that speaks to the act of communication and the misunderstandings that often come with it. The lyrics repeatedly mention saying goodbye, good morning, good evening, and good noon, drawing attention to the ways that we use language to create connections and establish social routines. However, the song also emphasizes the ease with which communication can break down, as people say things that are misunderstood or misinterpreted, leading to hurt and confusion.


Across the verses, the lyrics play with different scenarios in which communication could go wrong - for example, if someone said they didn't like fishing or if they blamed someone else for something they did. These moments of disagreement or dishonesty are contrasted with moments of connection and niceties, like saying hello and asking how someone is feeling. Throughout the song, O'Sullivan uses a variety of languages, including English and Japanese, to evoke a sense of playfulness and diversity.


Overall, "Say Goodbye" is a song about the beauty and the danger of communication. It invites listeners to consider the ways that they interact with other people, both verbally and nonverbally, and to be mindful of the power of their words.


Line by Line Meaning

Say goodbye say good morning
Bid farewell and a good morning


Say good evening and good noon
Bid farewell and a good evening and afternoon


Say hello tell me how you're feeling
Say hello and inquire about how you're doing


Very well thanks and how are you
Doing well, thank you for asking. And how are you?


Say you did say you didn't
Confess if you did or didn't do something


Say it's someone else instead
Blame it on someone else instead


Say it's me would I be forgiven
Ask if you would be forgiven if it was you


Or is it something that I said
Wonder if it was something you said


In spite of fears over what charges are proposed
Despite being fearful about potential charges


In spite of tears over what secrets are disclosed
Despite shedding tears over revealed secrets


In spite of ears I have never heard you once complain
Despite attentive listening, you've never voiced any complaints


Sayonara konbanwa
Goodbye, good evening


Ohayo-gozaimasu kon-nichiwa
Good morning, hello


Kon-nichiwa gokigen-ikaga-desuka
Hello, how are you doing?


Genki-desu arigato anatawa-ikaga-desuka
I'm doing well, thank you. How about you?


In spite of fears over inflation going up
Despite fears of rising inflation


In spite of tears over the breaking of a cup
Despite shedding tears over a broken cup


In spite of years seems like it was only days ago
Despite the passage of time, it feels as if it was just days ago


Say it is say it isn't
Confirm if it is or isn't true


Say it's good when you don't like fishing
Say it's good even if you don't like fishing


You just knock it on the heed
Just knock it on the head


In spite of fears over a lack of crowd control
Despite fears of insufficient crowd control


In spite tears over a bag that someone stole
Despite shedding tears over a stolen bag


In spite of years I have never seen you look so well
Throughout the years, you've never looked better




Contributed by Hudson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

hassen alnaib

Wow

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