Tennessee Waltz
Harris Emmylou Lyrics
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When an old friend I happened to see.
I introduced him to my darlin' and while they were dancin'
My friend stole my sweetheart from me.
I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
Now I know just how much I have lost
Yes, I lost my little darlin' the night they were playin'
Now I wonder how a dance like the Tennessee Waltz
Could have broken my heart so complete
Well I couldn't blame my darlin', and who could help fallin'
In love with my darlin' so sweet
Well it must be the fault of the Tennessee Waltz
Wish I'd known just how much it would cost
But I didn't see it comin', it's all over but the cryin'
Blame it all on the Tennessee Waltz
She goes dancin' with the darkness to the Tennessee Waltz
And I feel like I'm falling apart
And it's stronger than drink and it's deeper than sorrow
This darkness she left in my heart
I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
'Cause I know just how much I have lost
Yes I lost my little darlin' the night they were playin'
That beautiful Tennessee Waltz
The lyrics to Harris Emmylou's song "Tennessee Waltz" is the emotional tale of a heartbreak caused by a chance encounter with an old friend at a dance. The first stanza sets the scene of the singer dancing with her partner (darlin') to the soothing tune of the Tennessee waltz. When she sees an old friend, she introduces him to her partner, and as they dance, her friend steals her sweetheart away from her. The second stanza is an expression of her pain and the memory of the night the Tennessee waltz broke her heart. She realizes how much she has lost and how the dance that night became the bittersweet memory of losing her sweetheart. The third stanza holds the singer accountable for not seeing the heartbreak coming and reveals the helpless vulnerability of falling in love with someone sweet that someone else could take away. In the concluding stanza, the singer is left to dance with her darkness as the Tennessee waltz plays on.
Line by Line Meaning
I was dancin' with my darlin to the Tennessee Waltz
I was dancing with my beloved partner to a joyful melody
When an old friend I happened to see.
Suddenly, I saw an acquaintance from my past
I introduced him to my darlin' and while they were dancin'
I made my beloved meet my friend and they started dancing together
My friend stole my sweetheart from me.
My friend took away my beloved partner from me
Now I know just how much I have lost
I realize the extent of my loss
Yes, I lost my little darlin' the night they were playin'
I lost my beloved partner during the night they were playing music
That beautiful Tennessee Waltz
That mesmerizing song from Tennessee
Well I couldn't blame my darlin', and who could help fallin'
I couldn't blame my partner, who could resist falling in love
In love with my darlin' so sweet
Being captivated by the sweetness of my beloved partner
Well it must be the fault of the Tennessee Waltz
I blame the Tennessee Waltz for what happened
Wish I'd known just how much it would cost
I regret not realizing the high cost of my actions
But I didn't see it comin', it's all over but the cryin'
I didn't anticipate it, now it's too late and I am left in tears
Blame it all on the Tennessee Waltz
Putting all the blame on the Tennessee Waltz
She goes dancin' with the darkness to the Tennessee Waltz
She dances with her despair while listening to the Tennessee Waltz
And I feel like I'm falling apart
I experience a sense of falling apart
And it's stronger than drink and it's deeper than sorrow
It's even stronger than alcohol and more profound than grief
This darkness she left in my heart
The darkness that she left behind in my heart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Redd Stewart, Pee Wee King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gemolibre721
I love Emmylou since always.
She is a great and brillant star for ever.
@aloisemason3972
Email out Harris is a legend and a beautiful solo singer of my time..rhythem and melody is fantastic
@nopcshere6097
This is the first song my fiancee and I ever danced to, just before Christmas 2019. What a wonderful memory. Best recording of it, period!
@leedillon6569
Most beautiful voice you have ever heard,this is God's number 1
@mthivier
They must have dubbed Emmy's voice and overlaid the melody vocals, so that she is, in effect singing harmony with herself. Exquisite.
@steveroberts8719
The great Emmy doing her cover of Patti Paige's classic hit from the early 1950s. Love both.
@plainolded5030
Emmy just pulled it into her heart and then sang it as if she had lived it, amazing.
This is my favorite version of this wonderful old song
@macykit403
PlainOldEd This is also my favourite version of this beautiful song. Whenever I am singing this song, I can't help to sing Emmlou's version. So emotional performance!
@macykit403
PlainOldEd I am sorry for spelling wrongly her name. Emmylou great singer I love you!
@singaporeanlivinginjapan4641
Beautiful version in fact imo this the best version. Emmy's voice is so sweet. I get emotional wherever I hear this song and sometime it bring tears to my eyes