When Your Lover Has Gone
Kirby Stone Four Lyrics
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Rose just took the stand
She's divorcin' me for reasons
I still don't understand
That dress is showin' more of her
Than I've seen in years
And the story that she's tellin's
She's accusin' me of hangin' out
With girls of ill repute
Adultery, abandonment
Even alcohol abuse
I just heard my mother shout
Your honor throw the book
And even my attorney
Just gave me a dirty look
Everything's coming up roses
The house, the car
The kids and all the cash
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
My head is buried in my hands
The courtroom is adjourned
She got all I ever made
And all I'll ever earn
If I had a handkerchief
I'd break right down and cry
Why, even Johnny Carson
Got a better deal than mine
Everything's coming up roses
The house, the car
The kids and all the cash
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
Everything's coming up roses
And I'll be lucky
If I keep the shirt that's on my back
The Kirby Stone Four's song "When Your Lover Has Gone" tells a story about a man who is dealing with the aftermath of a divorce. The song describes the scene in court as his ex-wife, Rose, takes the stand and accuses him of various wrongdoings including adultery, abandonment, and alcohol abuse. He is in disbelief that she is divorcing him for reasons that he still does not fully comprehend.
The lyrics paint a picture of a man who has become vulnerable and powerless, as he watches everything that he has built with his former partner crumble before his eyes. The phrase "everything's coming up roses" in the chorus serves as irony to the situation, as it indicates that everything is going well, while in reality, the opposite is true.
The song ends on a somber note, as the man realizes that he has lost everything, and he is unsure of what the future holds. The line "And I'll be lucky if I keep the shirt that's on my back" suggests that he has lost all that he had, and he is now left with nothing.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are in court today
The singer and his wife are in court for a divorce hearing.
Rose just took the stand
The wife, Rose, just took the witness stand.
She's divorcin' me for reasons I still don't understand
The singer doesn't understand the reasons for his wife's desire to divorce him.
That dress is showin' more of her than I've seen in years
The artist notices that his wife is dressed provocatively in court.
And the story that she's tellin's even got the judge in tears
Rose's testimony is so emotional that even the judge is moved to tears.
She's accusin' me of hangin' out with girls of ill repute
Rose is accusing the singer of spending time with disreputable women.
Adultery, abandonment, even alcohol abuse
Rose is leveling serious accusations against the singer, including adultery, abandonment, and alcohol abuse.
I just heard my mother shout, 'Your honor throw the book'
The artist's mother is angry about the situation and wants the judge to punish Rose harshly.
And even my attorney just gave me a dirty look
The artist's attorney looks disappointed in his client's situation.
Everything's coming up roses, the house, the car, the kids, and all the cash
Rose is getting everything in the divorce settlement, including the house, car, children, and money.
And I'll be lucky if I keep the shirt that's on my back
The singer feels like he will be left with nothing after the divorce.
My head is buried in my hands, the courtroom is adjourned
The artist is in shock and can't believe what has just happened, and the court proceedings are over for now.
She got all I ever made, and all I'll ever earn
The singer will have to pay Rose all of his future earnings as well as what he has already earned.
If I had a handkerchief, I'd break right down and cry
The singer is so devastated by the outcome that he wants to cry.
Why, even Johnny Carson got a better deal than mine
The singer is jealous that even a celebrity like Johnny Carson got a better divorce settlement than he did.
Everything's coming up roses, and I'll be lucky if I keep the shirt that's on my back
The artist repeats the idea that Rose is getting everything while he feels like he will be left with nothing.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULE STYNE, STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind