After You
Michael McCuistion Harvey R. Cohen Lyrics

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Now won't you listen honey, while I say,
How could you tell me that you're goin' away?
Don't say that we must part,
Don't break your baby's heart

You know I've loved you for these many years,
Loved you night and day,
Oh! honey baby, can't you see my tears?

Listen while I say

After you've gone and left me cryin'
After you've gone there's no denyin'
You'll feel blue, you'll feel sad
You'll miss the dearest pal you've ever had

There'll come a time, now don't forget it
There'll come a time when you'll regret it
Someday, when you grow lonely
Your heart will break like mine and you'll want me only
After you've gone, after you've gone away

After you've gone and left me cryin'
After you've gone there's no denyin'
You're gonna feel blue, and you're gonna feel sad
You're gonna feel bad
And you'll miss, and you'll miss,
And you'll miss the bestest pal you ever had

There'll come a time, now don't forget it
There'll come a time when you'll regret it
But baby, think what you're doin'
I'm gonna haunt you so, I'm gonna taunt you so

It's gonna drive you to ruin
After you've gone, after you've gone away.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "After You" express the pain and heartbreak of someone whose lover has decided to leave them. The singer pleads with their lover not to leave, not to break their heart, but ultimately knows that they cannot convince them otherwise. The chorus speaks of the lover's inevitable regret once they are gone, when they will miss the singer and realize that they were their dearest pal. The final lines of the song suggest a sense of revenge, with the singer promising to haunt and taunt their lover, driving them to ruin.

Line by Line Meaning

Now won't you listen honey, while I say,
Please pay attention to me, my love

How could you tell me that you're goin' away?
I am surprised and hurt by your announcement of leaving me

Don't say that we must part,
Please don't break up with me

Don't break your baby's heart
Don't cause me emotional pain

You know I've loved you for these many years,
I have loved you deeply for a long time

Loved you night and day,
I have loved you constantly

Oh! honey baby, can't you see my tears?
I am crying because of your actions

Listen while I say
Please hear me out

After you've gone and left me cryin'
Once you have left and I am feeling sad

After you've gone there's no denyin'
It is undeniable that you have left me

You'll feel blue, you'll feel sad
You will be unhappy and emotional