I Cover The Waterfront
John Lee Hooker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I cover the waterfront,
I'm watching the sea,,
Will the one I love,
Be coming back to me?

I cover the waterfront,
In search of my love,
And I'm covered by,
A starless sky above.

Here am I,
Patiently waiting,
Hoping and longing,
Oh! How I yearn!
Where are you?
Are you forgetting?
Do you remember?
Will you return?

I cover the waterfront,
I'm watching the sea,




For the one I love,
Must come back to me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to John Lee Hooker and Van Morrison's "I Cover The Waterfront" are reflective of a person's longing and testifies the lengths to which they will go to be united with a lost love. The lyrics express the singer's feelings of emptiness and despair, as they wait as a lonely figure, watching over the tumultuous sea, hoping for the return of their love. The imagery created by the words is evocative of forlornness, loneliness, and disappointment.


The song's strongest points are the emotive lines that urge the return of a loved one by posing rhetorical questions: “Where are you? Are you forgetting? Do you remember? Will you return?” The message centers on the singer's unwavering desire to be united with his love, elucidating his persistence and dedication to winning back the significant other regardless of the odds.


In conclusion, "I Cover The Waterfront" explores the theme of lost love and the human struggle to regain it despite an overwhelming sea of uncertainty. The lyrics give voice to the pain, hope, and ultimately, hopelessness felt during a significant loss.


Line by Line Meaning

I cover the waterfront,
I search every nook and cranny of the waterfront


I'm watching the sea,,
I keep a close eye on the sea


Will the one I love,
I wonder if my beloved


Be coming back to me?
Will return to me?


I cover the waterfront,
I sweep through the waterfront


In search of my love,
Seeking my one true love


And I'm covered by,
I am surrounded by


A starless sky above.
A dark and gloomy sky above.


Here am I,
Here I am,


Patiently waiting,
Enduring a long wait


Hoping and longing,
Wishing and yearning


Oh! How I yearn!
Oh! How much I yearn!


Where are you?
Where are you, my love?


Are you forgetting?
Have you forgotten about me?


Do you remember?
Do you still remember me?


Will you return?
Will you come back to me?


I cover the waterfront,
I scour the waterfront


I'm watching the sea,
I'm keeping a lookout on the sea,


For the one I love,
In anticipation of my beloved


Must come back to me.
Returning back to me is a necessity for my happiness




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Lee Hooker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@kats6875

I can see why they won a Grammy for this song. So much love between them, so much respect. This song touches you very soul with its beauty.

@grandparamone8624

One of the greatest performances of all time.

@GjaP_242

5:15!

@ellen823ful

Yes! It went straight to my heart ❤️ like an arrow! To my soul. The men sing this song the best.

@carlvetrano1825

This song has a very special place in my heart. On September 4th, 1996 driving home from the hospital where my father had just passed this song was playing and my tears were streaming. I think it was a gift from him so I would have another thing to remember him on. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him and all that he taught me. He was a self educated man that only went to the eighth grade, but he was the smartest man I ever knew. Miss you Pop.

@naomitracy5684

Carl Vetrano this song was written for the ones of us...waiting out the in between hours...it played on a youtube auto play while i set at my borthers grave last winter...we loved the blues and Van Morrison played the music we danced to every sunday night when we closed the bar....my brother left us last summer...by mistake...so till he comes back i cover the waterfront....and all the empty times in between....

@macbattle7833

I love music so much because, somehow, it touches people in places that they sometimes reserve for themselves. Thank you for sharing this moment publicly and I hope the music plays on for you.

@robertbattle555

Just a wonderful song sung by two of the great ones. Sorry for your loss but a great way to remember your Dad

@chounig

Carl,
Reçois toute ma profonde compassion pour toi, pour ton papa.
Comment ne pas pleurer à l ecoute de ce duo extraordinaire,
meme sans ce malheur qui t est arrivé ce triste jour là ?!

@homer151

feel the same way both of mine have gone you never get over it just have gone on above all they would not want us to be sad it hard take care Geoff X

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