I Cast A Lonesome Shadow
Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys Lyrics


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Every evening when the sun goes down I sit here in my room
And the lamplight streaming over me projects my lonely gloom
My counterpart in agony mocks each tear that falls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls

He's always by my side at night no matter where I go
He lurks out in the darkness or in the neon's glow
He follows me across the steps and up and down the hall
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls

I sit and watch the candle and the flicker of the flame
My writhing shadow twists and turns as though it is in pain
I'm trying to escape the memory my mind recalls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls

The image of a love I lost and all the things I'd planned
Are as empty as this bottle that I hold in my hand
My soul is buried in the depths of love and life's pitfalls
And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls


I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hank Thompson And His Brazos Valley Boys's song "I Cast A Lonesome Shadow" paint a picture of a lonely figure sitting in a dark room, haunted by his own shadow, which he sees as a mirror to his own pain and agony. The singer's loneliness is palpable throughout the lyrics, as he describes the constant presence of his shadow, which follows him everywhere he goes, and seems to accentuate his feelings of loss and emptiness. The imagery of the flickering candle flame and the twisted, writhing shadow further underline the sense of desperation and despair that pervade the song.


The lyrics of "I Cast A Lonesome Shadow" convey a visceral emotional reality that is almost palpable in its intensity. From the opening lines, the mood is set, as the singer describes the way in which the lamplight projects his "lonely gloom," and the way in which his shadow mocks his tears. The repetition of the phrase "lonely, lonely walls" reinforces the sense of isolation and abandonment that the singer feels, while the vivid imagery of the shadow that follows him everywhere creates a sense of claustrophobia and unease. Ultimately, the song is a powerful expression of the human longing for connection and love.


Line by Line Meaning

Every evening when the sun goes down I sit here in my room
I spend my evenings alone in my room once the sun has set


And the lamplight streaming over me projects my lonely gloom
The light from my lamp highlights how lonely and sad I feel


My counterpart in agony mocks each tear that falls
My shadow on the wall appears to be in pain and reminds me of my sadness


And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
My presence in this empty room only emphasizes how lonely I am


He's always by my side at night no matter where I go
My shadow follows me everywhere, whether it's dark or bright


He lurks out in the darkness or in the neon's glow
Whether it's pitch black or bright with neon lights, my shadow is always there


He follows me across the steps and up and down the hall
My shadow is a constant companion, even as I move throughout my home


And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
My loneliness seems to be magnified by the empty walls of my home


I sit and watch the candle and the flicker of the flame
I spend my time staring at the candle flame, watching it dance and flicker


My writhing shadow twists and turns as though it is in pain
My shadow on the wall seems to writhe and twist, almost like it's in agony


I'm trying to escape the memory my mind recalls
I'm attempting to forget about a lost love and move on with my life


And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
Despite my efforts to move on, my loneliness remains a constant presence


The image of a love I lost and all the things I'd planned
I can't help but think about the love I lost and the future we had envisioned


Are as empty as this bottle that I hold in my hand
Like the empty bottle in my hand, the memories of that lost love and future plans are hollow and unfulfilled


My soul is buried in the depths of love and life's pitfalls
My heart and soul are swallowed up by thoughts of past love and the struggles of life


And I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
My loneliness persists, casting a shadow on the already desolate walls


I cast a lonesome shadow on these lonely, lonely walls
My loneliness is palpable and all-consuming in this empty room




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LYNN RUSSWURM, HANK THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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