Also recorded recently by Norah Jones on her multi-million selling album "Come Away with Me"
Cold Cold Heart
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
In anger unkind words are said that make the teardrops startWhy can't I free your doubtful mind,and melt your cold cold heart
You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
You know you need and want my love yet you're afraid to try
Why do you run and hide from life,to try it just ain't smart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you,the more we drift apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
In "Cold Cold Heart," Hank Williams sings about a lover who is cold and distant because of her past experiences. He tries to show her that he loves her and does not have any ill intentions, but she remains doubtful and hesitant to accept his love. The memory of another love before him has caused her heart to become "shackled to a memory," and she is unable to fully open herself up to Williams.
The lyrics delve deep into the struggles of relationships and the pain that can come from past experiences. Williams highlights the cascading effects of past heartbreak and how it can cause someone to close off and be hesitant to love again. He also emphasizes the need for communication and understanding in relationships. His attempts to free his lover's doubtful mind and melt her cold heart are accompanied by the knowledge that doing so requires patience and understanding.
The song is a timeless classic and has been covered by various artists over the years, including Tony Bennett, Norah Jones, and Diana Krall. It has even been interpreted in different genres, such as a jazz rendition by Billie Holiday. The message of the song resonates with people of all ages and has become an iconic representation of unrequited love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried so hard my dear to show that you're my every dream.
I have put in a lot of effort to make you believe that you are everything to me.
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
You suspect that all my actions are part of some sinister plan.
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Your past experiences have created a mental barrier between us.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
I wish I could help you overcome your doubts and make you warm up to me.
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
You had a past relationship that left you unhappy before I even met you.
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
Despite not being the cause of your pain, I am now suffering because of it.
In anger unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
Sometimes we hurt each other with harsh words that lead to tears.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind,and melt your cold cold heart
I wish I had the ability to make you trust me and open up to me emotionally.
You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
It is painful for me to watch you in tears and know that I cannot comfort you.
You know you need and want my love yet you're afraid to try
You recognize that you desire my love, but you are hesitant to take a chance on it.
Why do you run and hide from life,to try it just ain't smart
You are avoiding the risks that come with love, but in doing so, you are missing out on life's joys.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
I wish I had the power to help you overcome your fears and open up to me.
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
I used to be confident that we were meant to be together.
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
I now realize that your heart is still bound to a painful memory from your past.
The more I learn to care for you,the more we drift apart
Despite my growing feelings for you, our emotional distance seems to be increasing.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold cold heart
I wish I had the power to help you overcome your mistrust and allow yourself to love me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kerryknight623
Gone 2 soon love ua hank ❤️🌹❤️📺🌹💕♥️🌹❤️
@roydavidson2633
My Dad saw Hank in 1952 and got to hang out with him for about 20 minutes backstage. Till this day my Dad still says it was the best concert he ever saw. God Bless.
@Paulymuscles
That's awesome
@roydavidson2633
My dad’s best friend Ken Reynolds use to do all the bookings back in the day. A few years later Ken offered my Dad free tickets for some new kid. Elvis somebody. My Dad said…. Oh that kid is not going to go anywhere….lol
Who knew Ken was talking about the future Best entertainer of all time. Have a great summer and May God bless you even more than He has already done.
Roy
@G-unit516
So did I ....I hangout wit him ALL THE OL' Tymerz didn't get it .....nobody cares but stiLL💋💋we've been marr'ED 4 awhile now r.i.p Hanksta☕~ on me HAVE A GIDDY GIDDY GOO D4Y ,yooooo!!!!!!🔥u fire .
@roydavidson2633
Sorry it was 1950, I thought it was 1952. The years kind of blend these days. Hank was wearing a knee brace and it jingled to him singing. Like I said after hanging out with him backstage ( My Dad ) said it was the best concert he ever saw. Have a great summer everyone and may God bless you even more than He has already done.
@roydavidson2633
It was at The Auditorium which is now the YMCA.
@deannaharless4726
I like all of his songs
@justiceharrison5142
Hello there Deanna nice meeting you here
@SusieDaw-ix6pv
I had a big crush on Hank Sr. When I was a child. My mom had two of his albums and I listened to them a lot. It wasn't until I was about 12 years old that I found out he had died three years before I was born! I cried like I had lost a dear friend that day. I'm 68 years old now and still loving him in Feb of 2024.