The best-known version is the recording by Justin Hayward from the album Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Wayne wanted to include a love song on the album that sounded like Forever Autumn, and he decided that the best course of action was to simply use the original song. Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues was hand-picked by Jeff Wayne to sing it, and it was recorded at London's Advision Studios in 1976. The song reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1978.
Forever Autumn
Justin Hayward Lyrics
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And darker days are drawing near
The winter winds will be much colder
Now you're not here.
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky
And one by one they disappear.
I wish that I was flying with them
Now you're not here
Like a song through the trees you came to love me
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
Through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way
You always loved this time of year.
Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now
Cause you're not here
Like a song through the trees you came to love me
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
A gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes
As if to hide a lonely tear
My life will be forever autumn
'Cause you're not here!
Justin Hayward's song "Forever Autumn" is a poignant ballad that expresses the singer's deep sense of loss as autumn approaches. The lyrics paint a picture of the fading summer sun and the darker days that follow. The colder winter winds seem even more unbearable now that the person he loves is not there to share the warmth with him. As he watches the birds fly away, he wishes he could fly with them and escape the pain of his loneliness.
The imagery of the falling leaves that used to surround him and his beloved is now a stark reminder of his loss. The sound of the wind and gentle rain, now a lullaby for his weary eyes, seem to offer temporary relief to his heart, but the ache remains. "Forever Autumn" is a haunting reminder that the changing seasons of nature can also reflect the changes in the seasons of one's life. It is a beautiful and melancholic ballad that captures the depth of human emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
The summer sun is fading as the year grows old
The warmth of summer is leaving us, making way for the colder times of the year.
And darker days are drawing near
The days are getting shorter, and it's getting darker outside.
The winter winds will be much colder
With autumn coming to an end, it's going to get even colder out there.
Now you're not here.
The absence of a loved one is making the approaching winter feel even colder and lonelier.
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky
The birds are migrating to warmer places, leaving behind the colder weather of autumn.
And one by one they disappear.
The birds are leaving, one by one, until none are left in the sky.
I wish that I was flying with them
The person wishes they could escape the coming cold and go somewhere warm like the birds.
Now you're not here
The absence of a loved one is making everything feel lonely and unbearable.
Like a song through the trees you came to love me
The person's loved one came into their life like a beautiful song that they learned to cherish.
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
But just like a leaf caught in the wind, the person's loved one was taken away from them too soon.
Through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way
In happier times, the person and their loved one used to play in the falling leaves of autumn and enjoy the beauty of the season.
You always loved this time of year.
The person's loved one had a special fondness for the autumn season.
Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now
But now, with the loved one gone, the fallen leaves remain untouched and unenjoyed.
Cause you're not here
The absence of the loved one is making this autumn unbearable and unenjoyable.
A gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes
The person is feeling sad and tired, and the gentle rain represents their tears and their sorrow.
As if to hide a lonely tear
The rain is symbolic of the person's loneliness and the tears they're trying to hide.
My life will be forever autumn
The person realizes that their life is forever changed by the loss of their loved one, and that autumn will always remind them of that loss.
'Cause you're not here!
The absence of the loved one is the reason for the person's sorrow and the feeling that autumn will never be the same again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY ANTHONY OSBORNE, JEFF WAYNE, PAUL ANTHONY VIGRASS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrissybreeze3289
This is my brother's favourite song..
We will be scattering his ashes this month...
Forever Autumn..
Rest easy Pal... 😭💕
@MISSJENNYSHERE
I'm so sorry for your loss
@buster-jr5lr
IM so sorry for your loss what a beautiful song to pass with i have to admit its me first record i think i was 8/9 our hearts and thoughts are with you and you family
@buster-jr5lr
this is my life song i have to say
@naudianeels1328
I'm so sorry. You'll see him again someday. I'm sure of it 💔🙏😞
@carlproctor9101
My brother liked this he died In March 😢
@terrylewis9171
Without doubt one of the most beautiful songs ever written!
@douglashurd8652
Absolutely
@MichaelAnthonyHuerta-mf8oh
I played this at my Father's funeral. What an emotional moment it was.
@normannippy8471
In 200 years time when all music we hold dear is long forgotten, this haunting melody will still be found playing somewhere. A timeless classic.