The Fool
Hazlewood Lyrics


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Gather round me buddies
Hold your glasses high
And drink to a fool, a crazy fool who told his baby goodbye

Too late he found out he loves her
So much he wants to die
But drink to a fool, a crazy fool who told his baby goodbye
He needs her, he needs her so
He wonders why he let her go-oo-oo

She's found a new love, buddy
He's a lucky guy
So drink to the fool, 'cause I'm that fool who told his baby goodbye

He needs her, he needs her so
He wonders why he let her go-oo-oo

She's found a new love, buddy
He's a lucky guy
So drink to the fool, 'cause I'm that fool who told my baby goodbye




My baby goodbye
Who told my baby, who told my baby...

Overall Meaning

In "The Fool," Hazlewood tells the tragic story of a man who realizes too late that he has made the wrong decision by leaving his lover. The song begins with a call to gather around and raise a glass to this fool, who made the mistake of telling his baby goodbye. The man loved his partner so much that he wants to die now that he realizes he has lost her. The chorus repeats the call to drink to the fool and his poor choice.


In the second verse, the man learns that his former lover has found a new love, and he envies the lucky guy who has taken his place. He still loves his ex-partner and wonders why he let her go. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the irony that the man who made the mistake is calling upon his friends to drink and celebrate his misfortune.


Overall, this song is a classic example of a country ballad that tells a sad story of love and loss. The narrative is simple but powerful, and Hazlewood's vocals add a sense of emotional depth and sincerity to the lyrics. The song offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking love for granted and the importance of appreciating what we have before it's too late.


Line by Line Meaning

Gather round me buddies
Come close to me, friends


Hold your glasses high
Raise your drinking glasses up high


And drink to a fool, a crazy fool who told his baby goodbye
Let's toast to a foolish man who ended his relationship with his lover


Too late he found out he loves her
He realized his love for her when it was already too late


So much he wants to die
His love for her is so intense that he feels like dying


He needs her, he needs her so
He's desperate for her, he needs her badly


He wonders why he let her go-oo-oo
He's questioning himself why he broke up with her


She's found a new love, buddy
She has moved on and found a new lover, friend


He's a lucky guy
Her new lover is fortunate to be with her


So drink to the fool, 'cause I'm that fool who told his baby goodbye
Let's toast to me, the foolish man who ended his relationship with his lover


She's found a new love, buddy
She has moved on and found a new lover, friend


He's a lucky guy
Her new lover is fortunate to be with her


So drink to the fool, 'cause I'm that fool who told my baby goodbye
Let's toast to me, the foolish man who ended his relationship with my lover


My baby goodbye
The goodbye of my lover


Who told my baby, who told my baby...
Who ended the relationship with my lover...




Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEE HAZLEWOOD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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