'Round Midnight
Jack DeJohnette Gary Peacock Keith Jarrett Lyrics

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It begins to tell
'Round midnight, midnight
I do pretty well, till after sundown
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
But it really gets bad
'Round midnight

Memories always start 'round midnight

Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
When my heart is still with you
And ol' midnight knows it, too
When a quarrel we had needs mending
Does it mean that our love is ending
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart
And I'm out of my mind

Let our hearts take wings'
'Round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing
For your returning
Till our love is safe and sound
And old midnight comes around
Feelin' sad

Really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 'Round Midnight by Jack DeJohnette, Gary Peacock, and Keith Jarrett is a beautiful and melancholic tribute to the midnight hours. The song begins with the singer talking about how everything is fine until it's "round midnight," after which they start feeling sad. Memories seem to resurface during this time, and the singer cannot stand them anymore. The lyrics are as if the singer is in a long-distance relationship or missing someone who is far away from them. They miss their lover's company, and talk about how even after a quarrel, they need their lover back in their life.

The singer goes on to say that when the two lovers are reunited, their love will soar higher than ever. They ask for the angels to sing when their lover returns, and for their love to be safe and sound till the next midnight when they will feel the same sadness all over again. The song paints a vivid picture of loneliness and longing for someone who is far away, and how the midnight hours intensify those emotions.

Line by Line Meaning

It begins to tell
The story starts to unfold

'Round midnight, midnight
At the midnight hour

I do pretty well, till after sundown
I'm okay during the day, but at nightfall, it's a different story

Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
I feel melancholic around dinner time

But it really gets bad
It gets worse as the night wears on

'Round midnight
At midnight

Memories always start 'round midnight
For me, midnight is when the memories come flooding back

Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
I can't bear to relive those memories

When my heart is still with you
Even though we're apart, my heart is still with you

And ol' midnight knows it, too
Even midnight seems to sense my heartache

When a quarrel we had needs mending
When we have a disagreement that needs to be resolved