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.
Always
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the whole day long
I'd feel so blue.
For the longest while
I'd forget to smile,
Then I met you.
Now that my blue days have passed,
Now that I've found you at last -
I'll be loving you always
With a love that's true always.
When the things you've planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand always.
Always.
Days may not be fair always,
That's when Ill be there always.
Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.
Ill be loving you, oh always
With a love that's true always.
When the things you've planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand always.
Always.
Days may not be fair always,
That's when Ill be there always.
Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.
Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.
Irving Berlin's song "Always" is a heartfelt tribute to a loved one who has brought light into a life previously filled with darkness. In the first stanza, the singer describes how previously everything in their life went wrong, and they felt blue all day long. But then, they met the person to whom the song is directed, and things changed. The second stanza is a declaration of love and devotion, promising to love the person always with a love that's true. The singer states that they will be there to support the person whenever they need a helping hand, regardless of how life may treat them.
The repetition of the word "always" in the chorus underscores the depth of the singer's commitment to their loved one. They will not only be there for an hour or a day, but for a lifetime. It's a powerful sentiment that speaks to the enduring nature of true love.
The song is particularly poignant because it was written by Berlin in memory of his first wife. After she passed away, he wrote "Always" as a tribute to her, and it became one of his most popular and enduring works. The lyrics are tender and heartfelt, and the melody is simple yet evocative.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything went wrong,
The singer's life was filled with difficulties.
And the whole day long
These issues lasted all day.
I'd feel so blue.
The singer felt sad and hopeless.
For the longest while
This feeling lasted a long time.
I'd forget to smile,
The singer lost the ability to feel joy.
Then I met you.
This person, presumably the singer's lover, changed their life.
Now that my blue days have passed,
These difficult times are now in the past.
Now that I've found you at last -
The singer has finally found happiness.
I'll be loving you always
The singer will love this person forever.
With a love that's true always.
This affection is genuine and unwavering.
When the things you've planned
If this person has any hopes, dreams or goals...
Need a helping hand,
...the singer will provide assistance.
I will understand always.
Even if misunderstandings occur, the singer will always seek to comprehend.
Days may not be fair always,
Life may continue to be difficult.
That's when Ill be there always.
Regardless of life's challenges, the singer will always support and care for this person.
Not for just an hour,
This support and care is not fleeting.
Not for just a day,
It is not temporary.
Not for just a year,
Nor is it short-term.
But always.
The singer's love and devotion will last forever.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rebekah Drake
0:25 Everything went wrong,
And the whole day long
I'd feel so blue.
For the longest while
I'd forget to smile,
Then I met you.
Now that my blue days have passed,
Now that I've found you at last -
I'll be loving you always
With a love that's true always.
When the things you've planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand always.
Always.
Days may not be fair always,
That's when I'll be there always.
Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.
(Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.)
Dreams will all come true,
Growing old with you
And time will fly.
Caring each day more,
Than the day before
Till Spring rolls by.
Then when the Springtime has gone
Then will my love linger on.
I'll be loving you, always
With a love that's true, always.
When the things you've planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand always.
Always.
Days may not be fair always,
That's when I'll be there always.
Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.
Robert Atwood
One of the most wonderful love songs ever written, you can sing it to any one, a man to his wife or a wife to her husband or a parent to their child or even a Savior to his saved. God bless every one!
Terri Widener
One of the most beautiful songs ever written or sung
4gma59
Thanks for the background info on this tune. It's my parents ''song." After almost 70 yrs. of marriage, my dad still signs his cards to my mother with the title.
Carolyn McIntire
This song was my Dad's Favorite song and was played at Hugh and Sarah's wedding in 1946. Later, He would twirl the girls in his life around and around, always.
bob peck
My mother's favourite song. I miss her so much. RIP with the angels.
Marthalie Thurston
Thanks for the post of a beautiful composition, played perfectly
ahang1001
Thank you
Michael Sheflo
where can i get the sheet music for this arrangement?
Fele Ramos
Irving Berlin. Felicidades.
ahang1001
Thank you