In the mid 1970s, Chapin focused on social activism, including raising money to combat hunger in the United States and co-founding the organization World Hunger Year, before returning to music with On the Road to Kingdom Come. He also released a book of poetry, Looking...Seeing, in 1977.
His fellow Long Islanders loved him for his support of local artists, as well. He and his wife Sandy raised funds for the Performing Arts Foundation, a now-defunct local theatre group. They also supported the Long Island Ballet. The band shell at Huntington's Hecksher Park is named for Harry Chapin.
Chapin died on July 16, 1981 in an automobile accident on the Long Island Expressway at the age of 38. He was headed west from Huntington Bay, where he lived with his wife and three children, to perform a concert in Eisenhower Park in Nassau County when his car was struck by a truck. An autopsy showed that he had suffered a heart attack, but it could not be determined whether that occurred before or after the collision. Supermarkets General, the owner of the truck, paid $12 million in the ensuing litigation.
Sunday Morning Sunshine
Harry Chapin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a pocket full of stories that I just had to tell.
You know I've knocked around a bit,
I've had my share of small town glories,
And it's time to hit the city and that crazy carousel.
I been feeling sorry for myself,
But you know I was only lonely,
Until...
You brought your Sunday morning sunshine
Here into my Monday morning rain.
You taught me happiness just one time,
It keeps on coming back again.
These streets were never highways
For I had not known the sky above.
These days were never my days
For I had not known your love.
It's funny how a city can put on a different face,
When it holds the one you care for
It becomes a different place.
And I never felt so far from alone.
Baby you brought me halfway home.
Yes, baby, you brought me halfway home.
You brought your Sunday morning sunshine
Here into my Monday morning rain.
You taught me happiness just one time,
It keeps on coming back again and again and again...
You brought your Sunday morning sunshine
Here into my Monday morning rain.
You taught me happiness just one time,
It keeps on coming back again and again and again...
You brought your Sunday morning sunshine
Here into my Monday morning rain.
You taught me happiness just one time,
It keeps on coming back again and again and again...
You brought your Sunday morning sunshine
Here into my Monday morning rain.
You taught me happiness just one time,
It keeps on coming back again...
In Harry Chapin's song Sunday Morning Sunshine, the singer comes into town with a knapsack on his shoulder and a pocket full of stories. He's had his share of small town glories, but now he's ready to hit the city and experience the crazy carousel it has to offer. Despite feeling sorry for himself and being lonely like everyone else, he finds happiness when he meets someone who brings "Sunday morning sunshine into [his] Monday morning rain." This person teaches him happiness just one time, and it keeps coming back again and again.
The song talks about the power of love and how it can change a person's perspective on life. The singer was feeling lost and alone in the big city until he met someone who showed him love and happiness. The city, which once seemed cold and uninviting, becomes a different place when he's holding the one he cares for. The person he meets brings him "halfway home" and fills his life with joy and light. The song's message is that love can bring light into even the darkest of times, and that happiness can be found in unexpected places.
Line by Line Meaning
I came into town with a knapsack on my shoulder
I arrived in the city with my belongings on my back
And a pocket full of stories that I just had to tell.
I had many experiences to share
You know I've knocked around a bit,
I've travelled and explored
I've had my share of small town glories,
I've experienced successes in my previous locations
And it's time to hit the city and that crazy carousel.
It's time to experience the energy and chaos of the city
I been feeling sorry for myself,
I've been feeling sorry for myself
But you know I was only lonely,
But I was actually just lonely like anyone can be
Like everybody else.
Like everyone else who experiences loneliness
Until...
Until I met you
You brought your Sunday morning sunshine
You brought happiness and positivity
Here into my Monday morning rain.
Even though it was a dreary day
You taught me happiness just one time,
You showed me how to be happy
It keeps on coming back again.
That happiness still stays with me
These streets were never highways
The streets were not important to me before
For I had not known the sky above.
I had not appreciated or noticed the beauty above me
These days were never my days
I never felt like these were my days to live
For I had not known your love.
I did not experience love before I met you
It's funny how a city can put on a different face,
The city feels different when I'm with you
When it holds the one you care for
The city is made better by the person you love
It becomes a different place.
It transforms into something beautiful
And I never felt so far from alone.
I never felt less alone than when I was with you
Baby you brought me halfway home.
You helped me feel like I belonged
Yes, baby, you brought me halfway home.
You gave me a sense of belonging
It keeps on coming back again and again and again...
The happiness you taught me stays with me always
You brought your Sunday morning sunshine
You brought love and positivity
Here into my Monday morning rain.
Even on a dreary day
You taught me happiness just one time,
You showed me how to be happy
It keeps on coming back again and again and again...
That happiness stays with me always
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY F. CHAPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jerry Ables
A beautiful, uplifting tune that can make you think of the little things in life!
one handclapping
what a beautiful soul..left us way too early. His songs are timeless and this one in particular makes me smile!
Harald Farinski
Songs that reflect emotions and situations are a great source of inspiration and reflection thanks Harry
mtjgw
What a great song and like "A Better Place To Be" that was off of the same 1972 album, they flew under the radar for decades. I was 14 then and 40 years later we can thank the technology of the internet for keeping this excellent music alive. Such a shame that his life was cut short.
dragon fly
I couldn't agree with you more Sabine. This is such as an uplifting song. Wish we had more of them :)
Peggyann Veach
Love love LOVE Harry Chapin, and now my daughter (who is 6) can sing most of his songs! <3
DaveBassTrekker
I am wondering about the looks a 6 year old might get for singing "Sniper" or "Burning Herself"....
Paul Isaac
There will never be another Harry Chapin
kenneth keane
This was a beach band song at the Jersey shore back in the day. I get taken back to the bar, the crowd, the cold beer's. The happiness and joy. The old day's at the Jersey Shore, Belmar, was great! Kenny
Greg Arnold
You didnt go to St. Cassian’s School by any chance?