I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Green Al Lyrics
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He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I'm so lonesome I could cry
I've never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind a cloud
Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die?
Like me he's lost the will to live
I'm so lonesome I could cry
The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry
Green Al's iconic song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is a melancholic ode to the feeling of loneliness. The song opens with the sound of a lonesome whippoorwill, whose plaintive cry sets the mood for the rest of the song. The singer notes that the bird sounds too blue to even fly, suggesting that it too shares the singer's feelings of sadness and isolation. The reference to the midnight train whining low serves as a metaphor for the singer's own emotional state, which is also low and desolate.
The second and third stanzas of the song describe the passage of time as slow and painful, with the singer feeling the weight of each passing moment. The moon hiding its face and crying is a poignant image that conveys a sense of sorrow and despair, as well as the feeling that everything in the world is united in the singer's grieving.
The final two stanzas evoke the imagery of a falling star and a purple sky, adding a touch of beauty to the song's overall melancholy tone. The singer's wondering about the whereabouts of a lost lover serves as a reminder of the universal, timeless nature of heartbreak and loneliness.
Overall, this song is a masterful exploration of the depths of human emotion, and a testament to Green Al's songwriting prowess.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
Listen to the sound of that lonely whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The bird's melancholic song suggests it may be too sad to function properly
The midnight train is whining low
A distant train's mournful rumble can be heard
I'm so lonesome I could cry
I am extremely lonely and overwhelmed with sadness
I've never seen a night so long
This night seems to be extending endlessly
When time goes crawling by
Time appears to be moving slowly and painfully
The moon just went behind a cloud
The moon has disappeared behind a cloud
To hide its face and cry
Perhaps the moon is crying just like I am
Did you ever see a robin weep
Have you ever witnessed a robin crying?
When leaves begin to die?
It is as if the bird is mourning the loss of the vibrant colors of the dying leaves
Like me he's lost the will to live
Just like the bird, I too have lost my desire to keep going
I'm so lonesome I could cry
Again, I emphasize how very lonely and isolated I feel
The silence of a falling star
A falling star, poised to explode, is completely silent
Lights up a purple sky
The star's colorful, luminous core illuminates the sky
And as I wonder where you are
I am preoccupied with thoughts of your whereabouts
I'm so lonesome I could cry
Even though I may be surrounded by a beautiful night sky, I am still very lonely and sad
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SeekingHisWill
One of my all time favorites. Ole Hank Williams would be proud of this rendition. It always brings tears to my eyes. 💕
@catherineortiz907
i just love the way he takes a song and makes it his own, one of my favorite singers from my time back in the day
@pinkyjackson5422
I remember my father playing this song wow bring back memories and I just want to cry. I lost my father but I thank him for introducing me to the greatest Al Green music❤
@barbararichmond2167
I'm so lonesome, I am crying.
God called my husband home and left me "all" alone.
Read In Rest, George!!
@kingjamu5241
Incredible piece of art
@wagnercastro5398
I remember my dad putting the k7 tape in the car at 76, 77 and I kid. This melody never left my mind. When I hear it, I remember my father and my mother. Today both in glory.
@janiecunningham9435
❤
@henriettaabeyta1457
This is comforting music Al Green.
@marilynbarnes4144
Awesome Guy..Love His Music Til This Day....
@missv5439
It's been my absolute pleasure to have heard this
Such thought provoking lyrics
Like I said it's been my absolute pleasure
⚔️♥️♥️⚔️♥️♥️⚔️⚔️♥️♥️⚔️⚔️♥️♥️⚔️⚔️♥️⚔️