Softly as I Leave You
Matt Monro Lyrics


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Softly I will leave you softly
For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go
So I leave you softly long before you miss me
Long before your arms can beg me to stay
For one more hour or one more day
After all the years I can't bear the tears to fall so
Softly, as I leave you there
Softly I will leave you softly
For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go
So I leave you softly long before you miss me
Long before your arms can beg me to stay
For one more hour or one more day




After all the years I can't bear the tears to fall so
Softly, as I leave you there

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Softly as I Leave You" by Matt Monro speak of a sad and painful goodbye between two people in a romantic relationship. The singer describes how they cannot bear the thought of seeing the other person's heartbreak upon realizing that they are leaving, so they choose to leave quietly and softly, long before they are missed or begged to stay. The singer acknowledges the many years they have been together, but still cannot bear to see the tears fall, so they leave softly as a way to protect themselves and the other person from the pain of separation.


The song's haunting melody and melancholic lyrics perfectly capture the bittersweet feeling of ending a relationship. The use of the word "softly" repeated throughout the song conveys a sense of gentleness and tenderness, as well as the desire to minimize the hurt of the breakup. The singer's voice is rich and emotive, adding depth and resonance to the lyrics.


Overall, "Softly as I Leave You" is a poignant and heartfelt song that speaks to the universal experience of letting go of someone you love. It is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the pain of goodbye.


Line by Line Meaning

Softly I will leave you softly
I will depart from you gently


For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go
If you were to catch me leaving, I fear it would hurt you deeply


So I leave you softly long before you miss me
To spare you the pain of missing me, I will leave well in advance


Long before your arms can beg me to stay
I must go before you have the chance to plead for me to remain


For one more hour or one more day
Even if you were to ask for a short extension of time, I cannot grant your request


After all the years I can't bear the tears to fall so
I have been with you for so long and the thought of making you cry is unbearable


Softly, as I leave you there
I will depart quietly and with kindness




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Giorgio Calabrese, Antonio De Vita, Harold David Shaper

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

Raffy Rahman

Softly, I will leave you softly
For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go
So I leave you softly, long before you miss me
Long before your arms can beg me stay
For one more hour
Or one more day
After all the years, I can't bear the tears to fall
So softly as I leave you there

Softly, long before you miss me
Long before your arms can beg me stay
For one more hour
Or one more day
After all the years, I can't bear the tears to fall
So softly as I leave you there
As I leave I you there
As I leave I you there



All comments from YouTube:

glenn drake

This one of the most stunningly beautiful songs ever written. Matt Monro singing this will make it ,live on forever. He left us far too soon.

Kerry Evans

It's on my list of the worlds most beautiful songs x

Robert Townsend

Thanks to the internet, this outstanding British singer is now almost as popular and well known today as he was in his heyday. It's great to see such a marvelous singer making so many new fans who appreciate a great voice when they hear one.

Robert Davies

Thank you for that Robert, Matt's phrasing and timing were superb and such a good looking guy. The lyrics of this number from 60 years ago still resonate today.

linda craig

My partner loved Matt Munro and this was his favorite song. We were together over 24 years it was as if the words were written for us. I had it played at his funeral this year.
It was so fitting because that's exactly how he left softly. It's like the musical script for the end of his life.
I miss him more than words can say, but this song brings comfort. Thank you Matt.

James City

Yes, so underappreciated!

CBEST HELPER

@linda craig God bless you.

Rosalyn Liddle

What a voice

1 More Replies...

Sue Atkins

This man was so under rated, his voice was magic

Steve Anthony

Hello Sue how's the weather over there

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