Supper Time
June Christy Lyrics


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Supper time
I should set the table
'cause it's supper time
Somehow I'm not able
'cause that man of mine
Ain't coming home no more

Oh, supper time
Kids will soon be yelling
For this supper time
While I keep from telling
That that man of mine
Ain't coming home no more
While I keep explaining
When they ask me where he's gone

While I keep from crying
When I bring the supper on
How can I remind them
To pray at their humble board
How can I be thankful
When they start to thank the lord,
Oh, lord!

Supper time,
I should set the table
'cause it's supper time
Somehow I'm not able
'cause that man of mine




Ain't coming home no more
Ain't coming home no more

Overall Meaning

The song Supper Time by June Christy is a poignant and emotionally raw rendition of a wife’s anguished experience of preparing dinner for her family, while dealing with the loss of her husband. The lyrics reveal her deep sense of loss and her inability to come to terms with such a devastating event. The song delves into the feelings of loneliness, pain, and desperation that the wife is struggling with. Despite her pain, she must continue with her responsibilities, setting the table, feeding her children, and consoling them when they ask where their father has gone. Her anguish is palpable as she tries to remind her children to be thankful for the food they are about to eat, and for this moment, which contrasts so sharply with the heaviness of her heart.


The song highlights the universal theme of grief and the turmoil that comes with losing someone close to you. It shows how, amidst this overwhelming pain, people have to continue with their daily lives and fulfill their duties, regardless of how hard it is. The song also focuses on the harshness of life, how the cycle of life continues despite the death of someone we love, and we have no choice but to adapt.


Line by Line Meaning

Supper time
It is now time to prepare and serve dinner


I should set the table
I am responsible for setting up the table for the meal


'cause it's supper time
This is the reason why I need to set the table


Somehow I'm not able
However, I am unable to do so


'cause that man of mine
Because my husband, whom I rely on for help,


Ain't coming home no more
will not be returning home anymore


Oh, supper time
Here comes dinner again


Kids will soon be yelling
My children will soon be clamoring for food


For this supper time
In anticipation of the meal being served


While I keep from telling
Even though I have to hold back from telling them


That that man of mine
The reason why dinner won't be the same


Ain't coming home no more
is because he won't be coming home anymore


While I keep explaining
Meanwhile, I have to keep explaining to my children


When they ask me where he's gone
about where their father is and why he won't be there for dinner


While I keep from crying
I also have to hold back from breaking down in tears


When I bring the supper on
When I put the food on the table for my family


How can I remind them
How can I encourage my children


To pray at their humble board
to say grace before their meal


How can I be thankful
Even though I am struggling myself


When they start to thank the lord
When my children express their gratitude towards God


Oh, lord!
My exclamation emphasizing my difficulty


Ain't coming home no more
The finality of my heartache




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Marcel Audubon

beautiful interpretation "Lord, Lord!"

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