Born in Kirbyville, Texas, he was christened Ivory Joe as an infant. Developing an early interest in music from his father, Dave Hunter, who played guitar, and his gospel-singing mother, he was a talented pianist by the age of 13. As a teenager, Hunter made his first recording for Alan Lomax and the Library of Congress in 1933.
Empty Arms
Ivory Joe Hunter Lyrics
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Mm-mm-mm
Empty arms that long for you
And they wait, they wait just for you
And these arms will stay this way
Till you return to them some day
Mm-My heart the pillow where you used to lay your head
Empty arms, but not for long
'Cause my man, he is comin' home
And when he, when he walks through that door
These empty arms I'll have no more
Yeah, these empty arms I'll have no more
The song Empty Arms by Ivory Joe Hunter is a soulful ballad that reflects on the feelings of longing and anticipation of reuniting with a loved one. In the first stanza, the singer expresses the emptiness felt without their significant other and how their arms long for their return. The repeated phrase 'Mm-mm-mm' adds emphasis and depth to the emotions being conveyed.
The second stanza delves further into the sadness and loneliness felt by the singer as they reminisce on times spent together. The lyrics 'My heart the pillow where you used to lay your head' beautifully describe the depth of longing and the emptiness that comes after parting ways. Despite the pain, the singer holds on to hope, promising to wait for their love to return.
In the final stanza, the mood lifts as the singer anticipates the reunion with their partner. The lyrics 'my man, he is coming home' reveal the gender of the singer and make the song stand out as a powerful message of love from a woman's perspective. As the song ends, the singer no longer has empty arms, and the joy of being reunited is palpable.
Overall, the song is a beautiful representation of love, longing, and anticipation, with powerful lyrics that tug at the heartstrings.
Line by Line Meaning
Mm-mm-mm
Background music that precedes the song
Mm-mm-mm
Background music that follows the song
Empty arms that long for you
My arms feel empty without you and they yearn for you
And they wait, they wait just for you
My arms are patiently waiting for you to come back
And these arms will stay this way
My arms will remain empty until the time you return
Till you return to them some day
Until you are back in my arms someday, they will stay empty
Each lonely night I'll go to bed
Every night, I go to bed alone
Mm-My heart the pillow where you used to lay your head
My lonely heart remains in my chest and acts as the pillow where you used to rest your head
Empty arms, but not for long
Although my arms are empty, they will not remain so for much longer
'Cause my man, he is comin' home
My partner is returning home to me
And when he, when he walks through that door
The moment my partner enters the door
These empty arms I'll have no more
My arms will no longer remain empty
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IVORY JOE HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leo Palacios
Just wonderful to hear this one ❤ again..thanks 😊..