Stormy Weather
Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra Lyrics

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Don't know why
There's no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time

Life is bare
Gloom and misery everywhere

Stormy weather
Just can't get my poor self together
I'm weary all the time, the time
So weary all the time

When he went away, the blues walked in and met me
If he stays away, old rocking chair will get me
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more

Can't go on
All I have in life is gone
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time
Keeps rainin' all the time

I walk around, heavy-hearted and sad
Night comes around, I'm still feelin' bad
Rain pourin' down, blindin' every hope I had
This pitterin', patterin', beatin' and spatterin' drives me mad
Love, love, love, love
This misery is just too much for me

Can't go on
Everything I had is gone
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together

Keeps rainin' all the time
Keeps rainin' all the time

Overall Meaning

The song "Stormy Weather" by Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra is a melancholy tune about heartbreak and despair. The lyrics discuss the effects of a failed relationship on the singer's emotional state. The repeated mentions of stormy weather, including the lack of sun, rain, and blind hope, are a metaphor for the darkness and sadness that they are experiencing. The phrase "keeps rainin' all the time" serves as a refrain that emphasizes their ongoing misery and inability to move past the heartbreak.

The singer states that they "Just can't get my poor self together" and are "weary all the time." These lines suggest that they are struggling to cope with the end of the relationship and are unable to find any joy or positivity in their life. They pray that they will be able to walk in the sun once more, indicating a longing to find happiness again.

The final verse is one of resignation as the character admits that "everything I had is gone" and they are unable to move on from the despair caused by the end of the relationship. The song is a powerful expression of heartache and is considered a classic of the American Songbook.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't know why
I don't understand why

There's no sun up in the sky
It's dark and gloomy outside

Stormy weather
The harsh conditions outside

Since my man and I ain't together
Ever since my partner left me

Keeps rainin' all the time
It's continuously pouring rain

Life is bare
My life feels empty

Gloom and misery everywhere
There's sadness all around me

Just can't get my poor self together
I can't seem to gather myself

I'm weary all the time, the time
I'm exhausted constantly

So weary all the time
I'm always tired

When he went away, the blues walked in and met me
I became miserable and sad when my partner left me