I've Told Ev'ry Little Star
Mary Ellis Lyrics
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On my way to you I find things to say
I can write poems, too, when you're far away
When you're far away, I write poems, too
But when you are near, my throat goes dry
When you are near, I only sigh, oh dear
I've told ev'ry little star
Just how sweet I think you are
Why haven't I told you
I've told ripples in a brook
Made my heart an open book
Why haven't I told you
Friends ask me am I in love
I always answer "Yes"
Might as well confess
If I don't, they guess
Maybe you may know it, too
Oh, my darling, if you do
Why haven't you told me, dear
Why haven't you told me
But when you are near, my throat goes dry
When you are near, I only sigh, oh dear
I've told ev'ry little star
Just how sweet I think you are
Why haven't I told you
Why haven't, why haven't I told you
I've told ripples in a brook
Made my heart an open book
Why haven't I told you
Each time I hold you
Friends ask me if I'm in love
I always answer "yes"
Might as well confess
For if I don't, they guess
Maybe you may know it too
But oh, my darling, if you do
Why haven't you told me
Ooh aah
The lyrics to "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star" by Mary Ellis are about the difficulties of expressing love for someone close. The singer of the song is confident in their ability to write poetry and make up things to say to their loved one when they are apart, but when they are near their throat goes dry and they can only sigh. Despite telling everything from stars to ripples in a brook how sweet their loved one is, they haven't been able to tell the person themselves. The chorus questions why they haven't told their love how they feel and wonders if the person may also know but is afraid to confess.
The lyrics are filled with imagery of nature, with the singer expressing their love to stars and brooks. This imagery emphasizes the beauty and scale of their emotions, and how the world seems to be aware of their love except for the person they are in love with. The repetition of the chorus highlights the singer's frustration with themselves for not being able to express their feelings and their confusion as to why their loved one hasn't expressed their feelings either.
Overall, "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star" is a romantic ballad about the difficulty of confessing feelings of love. The singer is struggling to find the words to express their emotions and is questioning why they haven't been able to tell their loved one despite telling everything else around them.
Line by Line Meaning
I make up things to say on my way to you
While traveling to you, I think of things to say
I can write poems, too, when you're far away
When you're not near, I often compose poems
When you are near, my throat goes dry
When you are close, I become nervous and tongue tied
I've told ev'ry little star
I have confided in every shining star above
Just how sweet I think you are
Expressed how fondly I feel towards you
Why haven't I told you
But for some inexplicable reason, I haven't shared these feelings with you
I've told ripples in a brook
I have whispered to flowing waters
Made my heart an open book
Shared my innermost thoughts and feelings
Friends ask me am I in love
My acquaintances inquire if I have fallen in love
I always answer "Yes"
Which I typically respond with an affirmative
Might as well confess
I ought to reveal the truth
If I don't, they guess
Otherwise, they will naturally make assumptions
Maybe you may know it, too
Perhaps you have discovered my feelings towards you as well
Oh, my darling, if you do
My dearest, if that's the case
Why haven't you told me, dear
Why haven't you shared your thoughts with me, love
Why haven't, why haven't I told you
I wonder why I have yet to express my feelings to you, my love
Each time I hold you
Whenever I embrace you
But when you are near, my throat goes dry
Still, when you are close, I get tongue-tied and nervous
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@n40tom
Crazy I had no idea that this song was written 30 years before the 1961 version. Man the things you could learn on YouTube.
@davida1229
tackless same...
@user-fv5eo4hi2v
I Agree 😂
@jackdooley8732
Neither did I.
@georgecripe4898
During the height of the depression, this was a much needed distraction, sung beautifully.
@lecaprice2572
The definitive interpretation. Amazing purity, texture and depth.
It effortlessly creates an atmosphere filled with magic.
@willmcmillan1430
How lovely to hear this recording from the time period when the song first debuted! Thank you for sharing it.
@rockyspace
What a classic gem! Thank you so much for letting us appreciate Mary Ellis again! So beautiful.
@waynebrasler
I love the story and what a beautiful recording!
@cottoneyedjomama
Wow! thats amazing to hear the original song as sang and its very origin. Linda Scott brought this song to light. Thanks for sharing.