Round Midnight
Mal Waldron & Steve Lacy Lyrics
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'round midnight, midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown,
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
But it really gets bad,
'round midnight.
Memories always start 'round midnight
When my heart is still with you,
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
When a quarrel we had needs mending,
Does it mean that our love is ending.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart,
And I'm out of my mind.
Let our hearts take wings'
'round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing,
for your returning.
Till our love is safe and sound.
And old midnight comes around.
Feelin' sad,
really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The opening line "It begins to tell, 'round midnight, midnight" sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, with the singer describing their feelings of loneliness and sadness that often surface during the late hours of the night. Despite being able to keep their emotions at bay during the day, when night time rolls around, they find it more difficult to suppress their feelings. The line "I do pretty well, till after sundown, Suppertime I'm feelin' sad" suggests that the singer is able to maintain a façade of happiness until the day draws to a close, at which point their true emotions begin to surface.
The second half of the lyrics explore the deeper emotions associated with the singer's feelings of sadness. The line "Haven't got the heart to stand those memories, When my heart is still with you, And ol' midnight knows it, too" reflects a sense of nostalgia and longing for a past love, with the singer acknowledging the pain that comes with remembering happier times. The song concludes with a hopeful message, with the singer expressing a desire to reconcile with their lover and find happiness once again.
Line by Line Meaning
It begins to tell, 'round midnight, midnight.
The story of sadness and melancholy starts at midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown,
I usually manage to keep myself together until the sun sets.
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
When it is time to eat, I start feeling down.
But it really gets bad, 'round midnight.
However, the unbearable loneliness and sadness hit me at midnight.
Memories always start 'round midnight
It is always the memories that haunt me during this time.
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories,
I cannot bear to face those memories and the pain they bring.
When my heart is still with you,
Even though you are not here, my heart still belongs to you.
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
Midnight is fully aware of my longing for you.
When a quarrel we had needs mending,
When we have had an argument that needs to be resolved,
Does it mean that our love is ending.
I fear that our love may be coming to an end.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
My dear, I need you now more than ever.
You're out of my heart,
However, I am scared to admit that you may no longer have a special place in my heart.
And I'm out of my mind.
This loss has driven me crazy.
Let our hearts take wings' 'round midnight, midnight
May our hearts become free and soar into the night sky at midnight.
Let the angels sing, for your returning.
May the angels rejoice upon your return to me.
Till our love is safe and sound.
Until our love is secured and cannot be broken.
And old midnight comes around.
Even when midnight comes around again.
Feelin' sad,
I am still filled with sadness.
really gets bad
The pain and sorrow seem to become unbearable.
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The cycle of sadness and longing that continues endlessly at midnight.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D Hanighen, Theolonious S Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind