Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
Mandy Harvey Lyrics
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Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little
Why the gods above me, who must be in the know
Think so little of me that they allow you go
When your near there′s such an air of Spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it
There's no love song finer but how strange
Every time we say goodbye
The lyrics of Mandy Harvey's song Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye are about the pain and confusion that comes with parting ways with someone you care deeply about. The repetition of the phrase "Every time we say goodbye" emphasizes the heartache that the artist experiences with each separation. The first two lines, "Every time we say goodbye, I die a little / Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little" evoke a feeling of sadness and loss. The artist wonders why fate has brought them together only to tear them apart repeatedly. The following phrase, "Why the gods above me, who must be in the know / Think so little of me that they allow you go" suggests a feeling of helplessness and questioning of fate.
The second stanza shifts to a more positive tone as the artist describes the joy and happiness of being in the presence of the person they care for. "When your near there's such an air of Spring about it / I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it" paints a vivid picture of the beauty that surrounds them in the presence of their loved one. However, the artist acknowledges that the beauty of their love song is bittersweet because of their inevitable separation. The final line, "Every time we say goodbye" is poignant and impactful, underscoring the fact that each goodbye is painful, and the cycle repeats endlessly.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time we say goodbye, I die a little
Leaving you behind makes me feel as if a part of me is dying
Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little
I question why fate has brought us together only to say farewell repeatedly
Why the gods above me, who must be in the know
I wonder why the higher powers that be allow me to experience such heartache repeatedly
Think so little of me that they allow you go
I feel as if I am not deserving of your presence and the universe seems to concur with its repeated separations
When your near there′s such an air of Spring about it
Being near you feels like a rebirth, like it's Spring all over again
I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it
The joy of being with you cannot be contained; even the birds can't help but to celebrate by singing
There's no love song finer but how strange
There's no other romance that compares, but it's bittersweet that it must end
The change from major to minor
Even the melody itself shifts from a happy to a sad tune as we part ways
Every time we say goodbye
The recurring pattern of our goodbyes, that torment me with each occurrence.
Writer(s): Porter Cole
Contributed by Kennedy Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.