Sweet Adeline: Why Was I Born?
Jerome Kern Lyrics

The lyrics of Jerome Kern's "Why Was I Born?" tell the story of a narrator who spends their evenings alone, living in dreams they make up themselves while wondering why they were born. The lyrics reflect feelings of loneliness, longing, and unrequited love. It's not clear who the singer is addressing in the song, but it's possible that they're addressing a lost love. The lyrics suggest that the singer is pining for someone who doesn't feel the same way, and they're struggling with the futility of their feelings.

The opening lines of the song set the stage for the lonely mood that permeates the lyrics. The singer spends their evenings with nothing to do but dream, suggesting that they may be living a life that feels unfulfilling. The use of the word "lonesome" emphasizes the singer's feelings of isolation. The dreams that they make up suggest that they are trying to escape their reality and find some kind of solace or comfort. However, the dreams are bittersweet, as they are only a temporary respite from the singer's loneliness.

The chorus of the song speaks directly to the singer's crisis of purpose. They ask why they were born, what they are living for, and what they are giving to the world. The repetition of the word "why" in the lyrics emphasizes the singer's confusion and frustration. They don't understand why they feel the way they do, why they are pursuing something that seems hopeless, or why they are trying to draw someone near who can't hear them.

Overall, the lyrics of "Why Was I Born?" reflect the pain and uncertainty of unrequited love. The singer is struggling to find meaning and purpose in their life while also grappling with intense feelings of longing and heartache.