Dyer Maker
Led Zeppelin Lyrics


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Oh oh oh oh oh oh,
You don't have to go, oh oh oh oh oh
You don't have to go, oh oh oh oh oh
You don't have to go

Ay ay ay ay ay ay
All those tears I cry, ay ay ay ay
All those tears I cry, oh oh ah ay
Baby please don't go

When I read the letter you wrote me, it made me mad mad mad
When I read the news that it told me, it made me sad sad sad
But I still love you so
I can't let you go
I love you
Oh, baby I love you

Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Every breath I take, oh oh oh oh
Oh, every move I make
Oh, baby please don't go

Ay ay ay ay ay ay
You hurt me to my soul, oh oh oh oh
You hurt me to my soul oh, oh
Darling please don't go

When I read the letter you sent me, it made me mad mad mad
When I read the news that it brought me, it made me sad sad sad
But I still love you so
And I can't let you go
I love you
Oh, baby I love you, oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You don't have to go, oh oh oh oh
You don't have to go, oh oh oh oh
Oh, baby
Babe, please, please, please, please




Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, baby
Oh oh, oh I really love you, baby

Overall Meaning

Led Zeppelin's song "Dyer Maker" is about a man who is in love with a woman who has hurt him deeply. The lyrics express the complexity of his feelings toward her: anger, sadness, and love. The chorus, "You don't have to go," is a plea to the woman to stay with him despite everything that has happened.


The verses begin with him reading a letter or news that has made him upset, but even in this turmoil, he confesses, "I still love you so, I can't let you go." The repetition of "oh oh oh" and "ay ay ay" throughout the song adds a sense of urgency and depth to the emotions being expressed.


The title of the song, "Dyer Maker," is actually a play on words, referencing a British slang pronunciation of "Jamaica." The song's riff was inspired by the reggae music scene in the early 70s, and many speculate that the lyrics are a nod to the Jamaican slang phrase "die for it" or "dire maker," which means "to die for a woman."


Line by Line Meaning

Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Repetitive wailing to express strong emotions


You don't have to go, oh oh oh oh oh
Pleading with the subject of the song not to leave


Ay ay ay ay ay ay
More repetitive wailing to express strong emotions


All those tears I cry, ay ay ay ay
Expressing sadness and desperation in the face of a potential separation from a loved one


When I read the letter you wrote me, it made me mad mad mad
Being upset upon receiving a letter from the subject of the song that contained bad news or unpleasant information


When I read the news that it told me, it made me sad sad sad
Feeling deeply saddened by the information contained in the aforementioned letter


But I still love you so
Despite the bad news, the singer still cares for the subject of the song


I can't let you go
The artist is unable to accept the possibility of losing the person they love


I love you
Reiterating their love for the subject of the song


Every breath I take, oh oh oh oh
Expressing how integral the subject of the song is to the artist's life and existence


Oh, every move I make
Further emphasizing the above sentiment


You hurt me to my soul, oh oh oh oh
Admitting that the subject of the song has caused the artist pain and distress


Darling please don't go
Another plea for the subject of the song not to leave


When I read the letter you sent me, it made me mad mad mad
Repeating the earlier sentiment about receiving a letter from the subject of the song that caused the singer anger


When I read the news that it brought me, it made me sad sad sad
Repeating the earlier sentiment about being deeply saddened by the contents of said letter


And I can't let you go
Repeating the sentiment that the artist is unable to accept the possibility of losing their loved one


Oh, baby I love you, oh
Reiterating their love for the subject of the song


Babe, please, please, please, please
A desperate plea for the subject of the song to stay


Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, baby
Further supplicating and expressing overwhelming feelings of love and devotion


Oh oh, oh I really love you, baby
Final repetition of the artist's love for the subject of the song




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN BONHAM, JOHN PAUL JONES, JAMES PATRICK (JIMMY) PAGE, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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