I Hope You Dance
Lee Ann Womack Lyrics


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I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance

I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone?)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone?)




(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
(Where those years have gone?)

Overall Meaning

In Lee Ann Womack's “I Hope You Dance” song, the singer provides a valuable message intended for someone she cares deeply for. The song's lyrics exude a sentiment of hopefulness, encouragement, and advice that the person being addressed will hold onto throughout their lives. These words of wisdom include taking chances, never settling for the path of least resistance, having faith, and always being open for opportunities no matter how small they may seem.


The singer first expresses her belief in the sense of wonder that should stay alive within a person even as they grow older. She then encourages the person to continue to be ambitious but also grateful for every breath they take, alluding to the fact that life is a precious gift that should not be taken for granted.


As the song progresses, the singer reminds the person to stay in awe of nature’s grandeur, to be hopeful, have faith, and to be unafraid to take chances. She urges them not to let bitterness take hold of their heart, especially when they experience setbacks or when things do not go according to plan. Instead, the person should reconsider, hold onto hope, and look past momentary failures or disappointments. The song concludes with the message, “when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,” reminding the person to always seize every opportunity that comes their way, to take chances, and to make the most of their life.


Line by Line Meaning

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
May you always remain fascinated and amazed by the world around you, and never lose your eagerness to learn and discover.


You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
While being content and satisfied with what you have, always aspire for more and never lose your drive to improve yourself.


May you never take one single breath for granted
Always be grateful for every moment of your life and never forget to appreciate the simple things that make it worth living.


God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
May you always have love in your life, and never experience the heartache and loneliness of being without it.


I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
May you always feel humbled and awed by the vastness and power of nature, and never become too self-important to appreciate it.


Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
When faced with setbacks and difficulties, always believe that another opportunity will arise, and never lose hope or give up.


Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
Always trust in something greater than yourself, and never let doubt or cynicism prevent you from believing in the power of hope.


And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
When faced with a decision, take a chance and live life to the fullest, rather than playing it safe and settling for less.


I hope you dance
May you always live with joy and passion, and never lose your willingness to take a risk and embrace life's challenges and opportunities.


Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Though living can involve uncertainty and risk, it is worth it to seize the opportunities that arise and live life to the fullest.


Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Though love can lead to heartbreak and pain, it is worth pursuing and experiencing for the joy and fulfillment it can bring.


Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
Don't let the actions or behavior of others turn you into a resentful and angry person, and keep your heart open to new opportunities and experiences.


Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
Always be aware of the beauty and wonder of the world around you, and never become too busy or distracted to appreciate it.


Dance
Live life with joy, passion, and celebration, and never let your fears or doubts hold you back from fully experiencing it.


I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
May you always recognize that time is fleeting and embrace every moment of your life, knowing that it is constantly moving forward and never stops.


I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
May you always live your life in such a way that you can look back on it with pride and satisfaction, rather than regret or missed opportunities.


I hope you dance (where those years have gone?)
May you always be aware of the passing of time and make the most of every moment, so that you can look back on your life without wondering where it went.


Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder
Asking the rhetorical question of whether anyone wants to live a life full of regret and missed opportunities.


Where those years have gone?
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and wondering how time can pass so quickly without fully experiencing it.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tia Sillers, Mark Sanders

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@onyxd6270

I remember my mother sneakily had this dedicated to me at my senior prom when I was still a young lady finding my way in the world... 2002 had so many great memories. Innocent childhood relationships rarely last but it was still sweet they helped mom with this

Been about three and a half years since she passed...and I had to let go of the man I gave my heart to, after 15 wonderful years he passed just 6 months after mom. 2020 was garbage for so many people, and not just for the pandemic in my case since neither of them died from it.

Now I'm the one struggling to stay alive, even if I am finally getting past the grief there's something killing me slowly...

...but for as long as I have left, I swear... I will dance my broken and miserable little heart out. The man who has helped pull me out of the darkness...he deserves my best for as long as possible.

I implore you all... Please do the same...find your cause to dance, and don't stop



All comments from YouTube:

@silu5061

Who’s listening to this after Love is Blind?

@skybritnei

Me lmaoooooo

@sheritaspencer5388

Mee 😂

@johanapatriciavaldiviamend3701

Me too! Amazing song

@stacey-leedaniels4735

Me

@suzyrobinson7096

MEEE BUT I've always loved the song

533 More Replies...

@user-iz9sz6rh9y

This is the THEE official 90’s graduation song! Everybody was in tears and hugging when this one came on 🫶🏾

@chrish1384

As a grown ass man.. this song truly brought me to tears.

@cheeling794

probably bc it talks about what we want for our children❤

@user-if5jw7ey8w

Like I said, she wrote this song about her daughter. Nothing to do with being a love song for a couple.

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