Sitting on Top of the World
Hubert Sumlin Lyrics


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Work all the summer and all the fall
Just trying to find my little Lenore
But now she's gone, and I don't worry
'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world

One summer day when she went away
Just when she left me, she's gone to stay
But now she's gone and I don't worry
'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world

There was days when I didn't know your name
Why should I worry and prayer in vain
But now she's gone and I don't worry
'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world, alright

Going to the station, down in the yard
Gonna get me a freight train, after worked and got too hard
Now she's gone and I don't worry
Because I'm sitting on top of the world

The lonesome days they have gone by
Why should I beg her when she's saying goodbye?




But now she's gone and I don't worry
'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world

Overall Meaning

Hubert Sumlin's song "Sitting on Top of the World" is about a man who had worked tirelessly during the summer and fall to find his Lenore, but she is now gone. This man is content with his life despite his loss, as he has found himself on top of the world. The song is a Blues standard where the man reflects on his attempt to find his Lenore which eventually leads to his feelings of self-empowerment, and he begins to enjoy his life. The song shares a message that even though things do not always go as planned, it's essential to keep pushing, and everything will fall into place eventually.


The lyrics’ meaning can be interpreted as a metaphor that symbolizes human emotions such as love, happiness, and success. Even when one’s heart is broken and everything seems to be falling apart, staying positive and believing they are sitting on top of the world can help one push through.


Line by Line Meaning

Work all the summer and all the fall
I spent an entire season working tirelessly trying to find Lenore


Just trying to find my little Lenore
I was searching for the woman I love and devoted myself to finding her


But now she's gone, and I don't worry
Despite her absence, I am content with my current situation


'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world
I am in high spirits, feeling on top of the world


One summer day when she went away
Lenore left me one summer day


Just when she left me, she's gone to stay
I understood that she had left me for good


There was days when I didn't know your name
At one point, I did not know who Lenore was


Why should I worry and prayer in vain
I did not want to waste time worrying or praying for something if it was not meant to be


Cause I'm sitting on top of the world, alright
I'm still feeling good regardless of what's happened


Going to the station, down in the yard
I ventured to the station located in the yard


Gonna get me a freight train, after worked and got too hard
I planned to take a freight train to ease my tiredness after a long day of work


The lonesome days they have gone by
My lonely days of searching for Lenore have passed


Why should I beg her when she's saying goodbye?
I didn't see the point of begging her to stay once she had already decided to leave


But now she's gone and I don't worry
Now that Lenore is gone, I am not worried about what will happen next


'Cause I'm sitting on top of the world
I'm still feeling good and in control of my life




Contributed by Samuel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Cora Visser

This song is real good marbles and they will never boring,so you will keeping the blues a live.

Antonio Betancourt

...lo entiendo totalmente...good blues.

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