Yesterdays
Kern/Harbach Lyrics


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Yesterdays, yesterdays
Days I knew as happy sweet
Sequestered days
Olden days, golden days
Days of mad romance and love

Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
Joyous free in flame and life
Then sooth was mine
Sad am I, glad am I
For today I'm dreamin' of yesterdays

Yesterdays, yesterdays
Days I knew as happy sweet
Sequestered days
Olden days, golden days
Days of mad romance and love

For then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
Joyous free in flame and life
Then sooth was mine
Sad am I, glad am I
For today I'm dreamin' of yesterdays





Yesterday

Overall Meaning

The song "Yesterdays" by Kern/Harbach is a melancholic reflection on the past, specifically the happy and romantic days of youth. The lyrics use repetition to emphasize the significance of the past in the singer's life, with the repetition of the word "yesterdays" creating a sense of longing and reminiscence. The use of the word "sequestered" to describe the past days suggests a sense of retreat and isolation, perhaps indicating that the memories are particularly private and personal.


The second stanza reinforces the idea of youth and freedom, with the singer recalling a time of "mad romance and love," painting a picture of a passionate and exciting period in their life. The use of the word "flame" suggests a fiery intensity to the feelings and experiences of youth. However, the final lines of both stanzas suggest a sense of sadness and yearning, with the singer acknowledging that they are dreaming of the past, indicating a desire to relive those happy days.


Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the significance of the past in shaping our lives, and the bittersweet feelings that can come with reminiscing on happy memories.


Line by Line Meaning

Yesterdays, yesterdays
Remembering and longing for past times


Days I knew as happy sweet
Days of joy and love when I was young


Sequestered days
Days kept separate and hidden away from the present


Olden days, golden days
Days of pure love and romance from the past


Days of mad romance and love
Days filled with passionate love and romance


Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
A time in the past when I was young, happy, and honest


Joyous free in flame and life
Living passionately and freely with fire in one's heart


Then sooth was mine
Having truth and peace in one's possession in the past


Sad am I, glad am I
Mixed emotions of both sadness and happiness


For today I'm dreamin' of yesterdays
Thinking and longing for the past, feeling dissatisfied with the present




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEROME KERN, OTTO HARBACH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Doc Stephen

This should have a million likes by now. Beautiful.

Mellynda Chevalier

💗.💗💐💐💞

Luiz Henrique

Janine Jensen demonstra uma profunda emoção e compreensão dessa peça, ao tocá-la na velocidade certa. Uma das maiores violinistas do nosso tempo, ao lado do letão Gidon Kramer

N

Это непревзойдённо! Браво Мастерам! 🖤

Desiderio Reyso

Lady Janine deserve play on 12 Strads!!! We have the pleasure to hear her perform!

Carla Porto Fabres

Lindo! A alma em cordas de harmonias!!!!👏👏👏

Erwin Borda

Thank you for such a beautiful interpretation, I couldn't help but shed tears of emotion.

Igone Mejías

Maravillosa!!!!

Julia Bartles Emahiser

Brings tears to my eyes it’s so beautiful!

Johan Molin

What a marvelous combination of skill and real devotion, with the inner beauty and glow which follows from it! Tack Janine för en fantastisk upplevelse!

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