Young was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. He was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan on November 21, 2013.[3]
Dawn
John Lloyd Young Lyrics
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Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
Oh, Dawn, stay with him he'll be good to you
Hang on, Hang on to him
Think, what a big man he'll be
Think, all the places you'll see
With a poor boy like me
Dawn go away, please go away
Although I know I want you to stay
Dawn go away, please go away
Baby don't cry, it's better this way
Oh Dawn go away, back where you belong
Girl we can't change the places
Where we were born
Before you say that you want me
I want you to think what your family would say
Think what you're throwing away
Now think what the future would be
With a poor boy like me
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
The lyrics to John Lloyd Young's song "Dawn" tell a poignant story of a man who is too aware of his social and economic standing to be able to pursue the woman he loves. The song begins by painting a beautiful image of "Dawn" being as "pretty as a midsummers morn." Although the man desires her, he knows that he is not good enough for her and sings "Dawn, go away I'm no good for you." He begs her to stay with someone else who can provide for her, saying "stay with him he'll be good to you." The man recognizes that he cannot offer the same future and opportunities as the other man can. He implores her to "think what a big man he'll be" and all the places they will go with him.
The lyrics reflect the man's inner turmoil and sense of inadequacy. He knows that Dawn deserves better and wants to protect her from the potential criticism and judgment from others if they were to be together. He says, "Think what your family would say, think what you're throwing away." Even though he desires her and wants her to stay, he ultimately concludes that it's better for her to go away. The repeated phrase "Dawn go away, please go away" emphasizes his internal conflict and desire to do what is best for her.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dawn" evoke a sense of longing and sacrifice. The man wants nothing more than to be with Dawn, but his awareness of their different social standings prevents him from pursuing her. The song's melancholic tone and heartbreaking lyrics make it a classic of the 1950s doo-wop genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty as a midsummers morn, they call her Dawn
Dawn is so beautiful that people compare her to a midsummer morning.
Dawn go away I'm no good for you
The singer is letting Dawn know that he's not a good match for her and she should leave.
Oh, Dawn, stay with him he'll be good to you
The singer is encouraging Dawn to stay with someone else who will treat her well.
Hang on, Hang on to him
The artist is urging Dawn to hold on to the man who will treat her well.
Think, what a big man he'll be
The artist wants Dawn to think about how successful the other man will be.
Think, all the places you'll see
The singer wants Dawn to think about all the places she can travel to with the other man.
Now think what the future would be, with a poor boy like me
The singer wants Dawn to consider how their future would look if she were with him, a poor boy.
Dawn go away, please go away
The artist is begging Dawn to leave him and go find happiness with someone else.
Although I know I want you to stay
The artist is struggling with his feelings and acknowledges that he wants Dawn to stay, but it's not in her best interest.
Baby don't cry, it's better this way
The artist is comforting Dawn and telling her that it's better for them to part ways.
Oh Dawn go away, back where you belong
The singer is telling Dawn to go back to where she belongs and be with someone else.
Girl we can't change the places where we were born
The artist is acknowledging that they come from different backgrounds and it's impossible to change that fact.
Before you say that you want me
The singer wants Dawn to think carefully before committing to him.
I want you to think what your family would say
The singer wants Dawn to consider how her family would react if she were with him.
Think what you're throwing away
The singer wants Dawn to think about what she's giving up by being with him.
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
The artist repeats his message that he's not a good match for Dawn and that she should leave.
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
The artist repeats his message that he's not a good match for Dawn and that she should leave.
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
The singer repeats his message that he's not a good match for Dawn and that she should leave.
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
The singer repeats his message that he's not a good match for Dawn and that she should leave.
Dawn, go away I'm no good for you
The artist repeats his message that he's not a good match for Dawn and that she should leave.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB GAUDIO, SANDY LINZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind