Guess I'll Hang Out My Tears To Dry
Michael Feinstein Lyrics
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It's worth its heartache in ransom
And when that twilight steals
I know how the lady in the harbor feels
When I want rain, I get sunny weather
I'm just as blue as the sky
Since love is gone, can't get myself together
Friends ask me out and I tell them I'm busy
Must get a new alibi
I stay at home and ask myself, "Where is she?"
Guess I'll hang my tears out to dry
Dry little tear drops, my little tear drops
Hanging on a stream of dreams
Fly little memories, my little memories
Remind her of our crazy schemes
Yes, somebody says, just forget about her
So I gave that treatment a try
And strangely enough I got along without her
Then one day she passed me right by, oh, well
I guess I'll hang my tears out to dry
In "Guess I'll Hang Out My Tears to Dry," the singer reflects upon their feelings of heartache and longing after a lost love. The torch that they carry symbolizes their enduring love, despite the pain it brings them. The metaphor of the torch's worth in ransom suggests that the emotional toll is insignificant compared to the value of their love. As twilight steals away, the singer empathizes with the lady in the harbor, perhaps referencing the Statue of Liberty, who represents hope and welcoming in the face of adversity.
The lyrics convey the singer's struggle to move on from their lost love. They express a desire for rain, symbolizing sadness and emotional release, but instead receive sunny weather, reflecting the irony of feeling blue while everything seems cheerful. Their inability to get themselves together after love's departure is palpable. It suggests that they are still deeply affected by the loss and are struggling to find a sense of normalcy or happiness.
The singer describes declining invitations from friends and making excuses to stay at home, demonstrating their reluctance to engage in social activities due to their sadness. They find themselves desperately asking where their former partner is, highlighting their longing and yearning for her presence. This repetition of rejection and isolation further emphasizes the depth of the singer's heartbreak.
The lyrics also capture the singer's attempt to move on from the lost love. They try to forget about her based on someone's advice, and surprisingly, they manage to get by without her. However, the mention of her passing by one day suggests that deep down, they still carry lingering emotions and unresolved feelings. Ultimately, the decision to "hang their tears out to dry" implies that the singer will attempt to let go of their sorrow and find closure, even if it proves to be challenging.
Line by Line Meaning
The torch I carry is handsome
The burden of my unrequited love is noble and admirable
It's worth its heartache in ransom
The pain and sorrow it brings are of great value and significance
And when that twilight steals
When the darkness of the evening arrives
I know how the lady in the harbor feels
I understand the loneliness and longing felt by the Statue of Liberty in the harbor
When I want rain, I get sunny weather
When I desire sadness and gloom, life presents me with happiness and brightness
I'm just as blue as the sky
Despite the appearance of tranquility, deep inside I am filled with sadness
Since love is gone, can't get myself together
After love has departed, I am unable to gather my emotions and regain stability
Guess I'll hang my tears out to dry
I will display my tears openly and allow them to dry, symbolizing my acceptance of the pain
Friends ask me out and I tell them I'm busy
When friends invite me, I make excuses and claim to be occupied
Must get a new alibi
I need to come up with a different excuse or reason for my absence
I stay at home and ask myself, 'Where is she?'
Remaining alone, I question the whereabouts of the one I yearn for
Guess I'll hang my tears out to dry
I will continue to openly display my tears, signifying my unwillingness to let go of the pain
Dry little tear drops, my little tear drops
The tears I shed are now dry, empty remnants of my emotional pain
Hanging on a stream of dreams
Suspended within a current of unfulfilled desires and aspirations
Fly little memories, my little memories
Let my nostalgic recollections flutter away from me
Remind her of our crazy schemes
Serve as a reminder to her of the wild and impractical plans we once shared
Yes, somebody says, just forget about her
An individual suggests that I simply erase her from my mind
So I gave that treatment a try
I attempted to follow that advice and adopt that mindset
And strangely enough I got along without her
Surprisingly, I managed to live my life without her presence
Then one day she passed me right by, oh, well
Subsequently, she walked past me without acknowledging my existence, causing me to realize my ultimate insignificance
I guess I'll hang my tears out to dry
Ultimately, I have no choice but to display my tears openly and let them dry, as a way to cope with my emotions
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind