What'll I Do
Hugh Coltman Lyrics
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When you are far away
And I am blue
What'll I do?
What'll I do?
When I am wond'ring
Who is kissing you
What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?
When I'm alone
With only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do?
What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?
When I'm alone
With only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do?
???
What'll I do?
Tell me what'll I do?
???
In Hugh Coltman's song, "What'll I Do," the singer is expressing his distress over the absence of his loved one. He asks himself what he will do when she is far away and he is feeling blue. He fears the possibility of her being kissed by someone else while she is away, and the pain that thought brings him is unbearable. The only comfort he has in these moments is a photograph that he uses to tell his troubles to. However, even with the photograph, he is still alone with only his dreams of her, which only bring him more sorrow as they are unattainable. Throughout the song, he continues to repeat the question, "What'll I do?" as if he is truly at a loss for what to do with himself in her absence.
This song encapsulates the pain and longing that one feels when their significant other is away from them. It expresses the fear of losing them and the heartache that comes with knowing they are not by their side. The use of a photograph as a way to cope with the absence of a loved one is a common theme in romanticism, and the repetition of the question, "What'll I do?" amplifies the singer's feelings of despair and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
What'll I do?
The singer is questioning what he should do in his current situation without his significant other.
When you are far away
The singer is referring to how he feels when his significant other is not around.
And I am blue
The singer is feeling sad or depressed when his significant other is not around.
When I am wond'ring
The singer is describing his thoughts when he is unsure if his significant other is being faithful.
Who is kissing you
The singer is questioning the actions of his significant other and who they are spending time with when they are not together.
What'll I do?
The singer is repeating his initial question, emphasizing his confusion and uncertainty about the situation.
What'll I do with just a photograph
The singer is contemplating the limitations of just having a photograph of his significant other and how it cannot ease his troubles.
To tell my troubles to?
The singer is questioning the idea of confiding in a photograph, showing his feelings of loneliness and isolation.
When I'm alone
The singer is expressing the feeling of solitude and isolation when he is by himself.
With only dreams of you
The singer is describing how he only has his imagination and memories of his significant other to keep him company.
That won't come true
The singer is acknowledging the sadness that comes with knowing that his dreams of being with his significant other are not going to come to fruition.
Tell me what'll I do?
The singer is once again questioning what he should do in the face of these difficult emotions and circumstances.
Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.