Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – 22 September 1989), born Israel Isidore Baline… Read Full Bio ↴Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – 22 September 1989), born Israel Isidore Baline, in Tyumen, Russia (according to other sources possibly Mogilev, now Belarus), was an American composer and lyricist. He was one of the most prodigious and famous American songwriters in history.

Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.

All By Myself
Irving Berlin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All by myself in the mornin'
All by myself in the night
I sit alone with a table and a chair
So unhappy there
Playin' solitaire.

All by myself I get lonely
Watchin' the clock on the shelf

I'd love to rest my weary head
On somebody's shoulder
I hate to grow older
All by myself.

All by myself in the mornin'
All by myself in the night
I sit alone with a table and a chair
So unhappy there
Playin' solitaire.

'Cause I'm all by myself and I get lonely
Watchin' the clock on the shelf
I'd love to rest my weary head
On somebody's shoulder
I hate to grow older
All by myself.

All by myself in the mornin'
All by myself in the night
I sit alone with a table and a chair
So unhappy there
Playin' solitaire.

And I'm all by myself so I get lonely
Just watchin' the clock on the shelf
I'd love to rest my weary head
On somebody's shoulder

I hate to grow older
All by myself

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Irving Berlin's song All By Myself convey a deep sense of loneliness and isolation that the singer is feeling. The repetition of the opening lines emphasizes the fact that the singer is completely alone, in the morning and at night. The mention of a table and a chair only heightens the image of solitary confinement. The image of the singer playing solitaire further underscores the isolation and the sense of lack of companionship.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the extent of the loneliness and the longing for human connection. The clock on the shelf serves as a cruel reminder of the passing of time that only increases the sense of sadness and despair. The desperate desire to rest one's head on somebody's shoulder conveys the need for a human touch and the feeling of emptiness that comes with lacking it. The singer hates growing older alone, and the repetition of "All by myself" only adds to the sense of despair.

The lyrics to All By Myself call upon the listeners to empathize with the loneliness and isolation of the singer. The song conveys a profound emotional depth that resonates with anyone who has felt alone and forgotten.

Line by Line Meaning

All by myself in the mornin'
I wake up and find myself alone

All by myself in the night
I sleep and find myself alone

I sit alone with a table and a chair
I have no one to talk to or keep me company

So unhappy there
I feel sad and lonely

Playin' solitaire.
I have no one to play games with or share my time with

'Cause I'm all by myself and I get lonely
Being alone makes me feel empty and sad

Watchin' the clock on the shelf
I pass the time by staring at the clock

I'd love to rest my weary head
I wish I had someone to lean on or confide in

On somebody's shoulder
I long for physical comfort and emotional support

I hate to grow older
As I age, being alone becomes harder and more difficult to bear

And I'm all by myself so I get lonely
My loneliness persists throughout the day

Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC , Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MEMPHIS SLIM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

서원용

3y↑2

All by myself in the mornin'
All by myself in the night
I sit alone with a table and a chair
So unhappy there
Playin' solitaire.

All by myself I get lonely
Watchin' the clock on the shelf
I'd love to rest my weary head
On somebody's shoulder
I hate to grow older
All by myself.

All by myself in the mornin'
All by myself in the night
I sit alone with a table and a chair
So unhappy there
Playin' solitaire.

Cause I'm all by myself and I get lonely
Watchin' the clock on the shelf
I'd love to rest my weary head
On somebody's shoulder
I hate to grow older
All by myself.

All by myself in the mornin'
All by myself in the night
I sit alone with a table and a chair
So unhappy there
Playin' solitaire.

And I'm all by myself so I get lonely
Just watchin' the clock on the shelf
I'd love to rest my weary head
On somebody's shoulder
I hate to grow older

All by myself

All comments from YouTube:

Aileen

3y↑4

I heard many versions of this this evening, but Aileen Stanley did the best and most beautiful version of they all I heard this evening. Aileen was blessed by God who gived her a real angelic voice

Tom

2y↑2

This man had so much talent.

Dave Domenicano

6y↑3

Awesome!! Look at him holding back from taking a few dance steps at the end. Great song!! Good job Bobby!!

zills2

3y↑3

he could work a stage like nobody else!

CrashingCrockery

3y↑1

The lighting composition is so cool in the intro - and that simple but stylized set they had to build, very cool. His physical size and the way the suit hangs on him is totally Lee Oswald (as seen in the August '63 radio interview that was partially filmed). I don't think Lee could sing quite like this though.

서원용

3y↑2

makthnife

10y↑5

WHAT?!?! A NEW BD clip?!?! Thought all there was, was online already! Well, my stuff hasn't made it off VHS yet. But THIS! THANK YOU for posting this! Something new is rare, and this is beautiful-from his 1962 "Oh Look At Me Now" album~