Kiss and Say Goodbye
Kate McGarrigle Lyrics


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Call me when you're coming to town
Just as soon as your plane puts down
Call me on the telephone
But only if you're traveling alone
Counting down the hours
Through the sunshine and the showers
Today's the day
You're finally going to come my way

Let's make a date to see a movie
Some foreign film from gay Paris
I know you like to think you've got taste
So I'll let you choose the time and place
Have some dinner for two
In some eastside rendezvous
Then we'll walk
Arm in arm around the block and talk

Tonight you're mine
Let's not waste time

I do believe the die is cast
Let's try and make the night-time last
And I don't know where it's coming from
But I want to kiss you till my mouth get numb
I want to make love to you
Till the day comes breaking through




And when the sun is high in the sky
We'll kiss and say goodbye

Overall Meaning

The song "Kiss and Say Goodbye" by Kate McGarrigle is a story of a long-awaited reunion of two lovers. The lyrics reveal the desperation of the singer for the arrival of her lover as she counts down the hours she has to wait for him. The verse "Call me on the telephone but only if you're traveling alone" suggests that the singer does not want any third wheelers disturbing their intimate moment. She plans to spend quality time with her lover by watching a foreign movie from gay Paris, having dinner in an eastside rendezvous, and walking arm-in-arm around the block, reassuring him that she is his tonight.


As the night wears on, the singer desires to prolong the moment, and the line "Let's try and make the night-time last" underscores her desire to savour the moment. The singer's desire also transcends into a sexual desire as she reveals "I want to kiss you until my mouth gets numb, I want to make love to you till the day comes breaking through." The song projects a feeling of bittersweetness as the singer and her lover will have to say goodbye when the sun is high in the sky.


Line by Line Meaning

Call me when you're coming to town
Please inform me in advance when you plan on visiting


Just as soon as your plane puts down
As soon as you arrive at the airport


Call me on the telephone
Please reach out to me via phone


But only if you're traveling alone
Please contact me only if nobody is accompanying you


Counting down the hours
Anticipating eagerly the moment you arrive


Through the sunshine and the showers
Regardless of the weather conditions


Today's the day
Excited that the day has finally arrived


You're finally going to come my way
Implying that the person is coming to visit


Let's make a date to see a movie
Let's set a time and place to watch a film together


Some foreign film from gay Paris
Referring to watching a French movie


I know you like to think you've got taste
Implies the person being addressed has opinionated preferences


So I'll let you choose the time and place
You have the freedom to choose


Have some dinner for two
Enjoy a meal together


In some eastside rendezvous
At a secret and discreet location in the east side


Then we'll walk
Take a stroll together


Arm in arm around the block and talk
While walking, we can chat while holding hands/cuddling


Tonight you're mine
You belong to me tonight


Let's not waste time
Let's not detract from our time together


I do believe the die is cast
I think our fate has already been determined


Let's try and make the night-time last
We should make the most of the time we have together


And I don't know where it's coming from
I'm not sure, but there's a strong feeling brewing


But I want to kiss you till my mouth get numb
I want to kiss you for as long as I can handle


I want to make love to you
In bed, we connect physically and emotionally


Till the day comes breaking through
Until the morning sun rises


And when the sun is high in the sky
When it's daytime and sunny out


We'll kiss and say goodbye
Our time has come to an end, alas




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KATE MCGARRIGLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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