In many of her songs, she incorporates humor into a narrative, some tracks ultimately becoming catchy anecdotes. Generally, her songs are unconventionally folk-like, using horn arrangements not found in tracks recorded by mainstream artists. Sobule also uses both satire and experience to sing about sexuality, depression, war, abandonment, and creed.
Sunrise Sunset
Jill Sobule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is this the little boy I played
I don't remember growing older
When did they
When did she get to be a beauty
When did he grow to be so tall
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small
Swiftly go the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following an other
Laden with happiness and tears
What words of wisdom can I give them
How can I help to ease their ways
Now they must learn from one another
Day by day
They look so natural together
Just like two newlyweds should be
Is there a canopy installed for me
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
Laden with happiness and tears
The song 'Sunrise Sunset' by Jill Sobule portrays the common human experience of time quickly slipping away. At the beginning of the song, the singer is reflecting on memories from the past- memories of carrying and playing with a little boy who she doesn't recognize anymore now that he has grown up. There is a sense of loss and nostalgia as the singer realizes how quickly the little boy has grown up and she hasn't even noticed the passage of time. Sobule continues to question time- when did the little girl become beautiful and when did the little boy get so tall? The repetitive chorus, "Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset, swiftly go the days," emphasize how fleeting life is and how quickly time passes.
The second verse of the song focuses on the present- the singer is acknowledging the current phase of life she is in, a stage of life where her children are growing up and she is faced with the task of giving them wise advice and helping them navigate life. The verse expresses the inevitability of change and growth, and the importance of allowing the children to learn and grow on their own. The final verse brings the focus to the future- the children are now grown and getting married, and the singer is now the one contemplating the passage of time and her own mortality. The song presents a cyclical perspective of life, where the same emotions and thoughts that the singer is experiencing, have been and will be experienced by generations before and after her.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this the little boy I carried
Reflecting on how quickly time has passed and how surprising it is to see the child she once carried as a grown adult now.
Is this the little boy I played
Wondering how the child she used to play with grew up so quickly and became an adult without her noticing.
I don't remember growing older
Reflecting on the fact that she didn't notice herself aging until she saw how much the child she once knew had grown.
When did they
Asking herself when the children she once knew turned into adults and how quickly time has passed.
When did she get to be a beauty
Marveling at how quickly the girl she once knew became a beautiful woman without her realizing it.
When did he grow to be so tall
Reflecting on how the boy she used to know grew up so quickly and became a tall adult without her noticing.
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small
Realizing how quickly time has passed and feeling like it was only yesterday when the children she used to know were still small.
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Referring to the passage of time and how quickly days turn from sunrise to sunset, and how years pass by as a result.
Swiftly go the days
Reflecting on how fast time passes by and how the days go by in the blink of an eye.
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Reflecting on how quickly things can grow and change in life, with small seedlings growing into large, beautiful sunflowers overnight.
Blossoming even as we gaze
Reflecting on how things change and grow right before our eyes, even as we watch them.
One season following an other
Reflecting on how time passes by, one season at a time, with each one representing a period of growth and change.
Laden with happiness and tears
Reflecting on how life is filled with both happy and sad moments, and how each of these moments shapes and changes us.
What words of wisdom can I give them
Wondering how she can offer guidance to the children she once knew, who are now grown adults facing their own challenges in life.
How can I help to ease their ways
Wondering how she can make life easier for the children she once knew, who are now struggling with their own lives.
Now they must learn from one another
Reflecting on how the children she once knew must now learn from one another and grow on their own, since they are now adults who have to navigate the world for themselves.
Day by day
Reflecting on how growth and change happen gradually and slowly, day by day, rather than all at once.
They look so natural together
Observing how well the two people she is watching get along and complement each other, and how naturally they seem to fit together.
Just like two newlyweds should be
Reflecting on the joy and happiness of new love and the way it brings people together.
Is there a canopy installed for me
Wondering what the future holds for her and whether she will find happiness and love like the couple she is observing.
Laden with happiness and tears
Reflecting on how life is a mixture of both happy and sad moments, and how each of these moments shapes and changes us.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BOCK IP LLC, IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: LEWIS BOCK JERROLD, SHELDON HARNICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vigilefab
The best cover i've heard! Could you please upload this on Spotify? :D
@BrianLizard
One of the most soulful renditions...
@JadeKim0823
이런 느낌과 분위기가 좋아요. 감미롭네요.
@brookehefley7136
Is this the little girl I carried
Is this the little boy I played
I don't remember growing older
When did they
When did she get to be a beauty
When did he grow to be so tall
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Swiftly go the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
What words of wisdom can I give them
How can I help to ease their ways
Now they must learn from one another
Day by day
They look so natural together
Just like two newlyweds should be
Is there a canopy installed for me
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
Laden with happiness and tears
@brookehefley7136
This is lovely. ❤️
@Winonasalibi
I think I love Jill's voice more than any other woman's on earth....
@asadowsky
Beautiful.
@Bobk3362
Adam said it all