For All We Know
Jackie & the Starlites Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

For all we know
We may never meet again
Before we go
Make this moment live again
We won't say goodbye
Until the last minute
I'll hold out my hand
And my heart will be in it

For all we know
This might only be a dream
We come and we go
Like the ripples, like the ripples in the stream
So baby, love me, love me tonight
Tomorrow was made for some
Oh, but tomorrow
But tomorrow may never, never come
For all we know




Yes, tomorrow may never, never come
For all we know

Overall Meaning

The opening line of "For All We Know," by Jackie & the Starlites sets the introspective and reflective tone of the entire song. The singer contemplates the uncertain and transitory nature of life, and the possibility that this momentary meeting between the two individuals may be the only one they share. There is a sense of urgency in the lyrics, as the singer insists on making the most of the moment they have together before it inevitably ends. The second line, "Before we go, make this moment live again," emphasizes that the two individuals must acknowledge the potential finality of their encounter and attempt to capture this fleeting moment before it fades into the past.


The next lines highlight the reluctance to come to terms with the end of their time together. The two individuals are hesitant to say goodbye and hold onto each other until the last possible moment. The line, "I'll hold out my hand, and my heart will be in it," suggests that they are willing to put their hearts on the line and open themselves up to vulnerability as they cling onto the moment.


In the second verse, the singer reminds the listener that life is transient and constantly changing. The line, "This might only be a dream," suggests that this momentary meeting could be a figment of their imagination. The image of the ripples in a stream compares the transience and impermanence of life to the ever-changing shape of a running stream. The singer urges their lover to embrace the moment and love them tonight because tomorrow may never come.


Overall, "For All We Know" is a poignant reminder to seize the moment, be present in the now, and love fiercely because we never know when our time with the ones we care about will come to an end.


Line by Line Meaning

For all we know
We are unaware and uncertain about what may happen in the future.


We may never meet again
It is possible that we will not have the chance to see each other again.


Before we go
Prior to our departure and separation from one another.


Make this moment live again
Let us relive and cherish this moment for as long as possible.


We won't say goodbye
We choose not to bid farewell to each other just yet.


Until the last minute
Not until the very end of our time together.


I'll hold out my hand
I will extend my hand to you as a sign of my affection.


And my heart will be in it
My emotions and feelings are earnest and genuine.


This might only be a dream
It is possible that what we are experiencing is not real or permanent.


We come and we go
We enter and exit people's lives in a fleeting manner, akin to the passing of ripples on a stream.


Like the ripples, like the ripples in the stream
Our impact on others can be subtle, temporary and easily overlooked, akin to the gentle ripples on a body of water.


So baby, love me, love me tonight
In this fleeting moment, let us express our affections towards each other.


Tomorrow was made for some
For other people, tomorrow is a concrete concept with a clear meaning or significance.


Oh, but tomorrow
However, for us, the future is uncertain and unknown.


But tomorrow may never, never come
There is a possibility that the future may not even exist for us to experience, emphasising the importance of living in the present moment.


Yes, tomorrow may never, never come
The likelihood of an absent or negligible future is a real possibility that we must acknowledge.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J Fred Coots, Samuel M Lewis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

deanslist101

This song was originally written for the soldiers leaving for World War II, many of whom would never return but, it has transcended that era and became timeless. This is a great interpretation of it, as is the Sonny Til & the Orioles version in the mid-50s. Nobody could turn on the waterworks better than Jackie.

Jack Strong

One of my regrets is not seeing these guys in the day. Rip Jackie

Barbara Davis

I always loved this song of the 60's, even if Jackie still cried. Thanks for posting it.

ildibildi53

Beautiful song, I am charmed with it

pat covington

Thank you so much for posting this song. I haven't heard it in many years. I love it. "Sing the song, Starlites" LOL

Shana Lewis

Yes, long live the Uptown! Went there so many times! I love Jackie and the Starlites!

doowop tony

Sang with him once in a practice session.

dzdiesel

One of my favorite doowop groups,,I read that he would have a soaked hankerchief inb his pocket and would pull it out during the climax of his songs,,he cried in most of them,,and would squeeze it as he wiped his eyes,,to appear that he was crying..I found out to late is my favorite,,and the obscure ,,you keep telling..I hope some post it..DZ from the Bean

em jobs

I HAD GREAT TIMES AT THE UPTOWN WISH IT COULD COME BACK

Brad Hawkins

MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THIS SONG  ..SO SAD WHEN YOU OBSORB THE LYRICS.....GROWING UP IN FRANKFORD PHILLY AND 14 YEARS OLD SINGING TENOR IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THIS SONG DEPRESSED ME WHEN OUR DOO WOP GROUP 'THE VELOURS' DID IT....I WAS AN UPTEMPO GUY....ZOOM ZOOM,,,THE UPBEAT STUFF....SAW JACKIE AND HIS CREW AT THE UPTOWN 'BATTLE OF THE GROUPS..''WITH THE VIBRATIONS,OLYMPICS ETC...GEORGIE WOODS THE MAN WITH THE GOODS.....'''LOVED  DOING ''I FOUND OUT TOO LATE'' EVERY BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD IN MURIKKKA HAD DOO WOP CORNER GROUPS WHERE IT ALL STARTED  ROCK AND ROLL...

More Comments