you are my sunshine
Mitchell Lyrics


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You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please, don't take my sunshine away
The other night, dear
While I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear
I was mistaken
So I hung my head and cried

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please, don't take my sunshine away

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please, don't take my sunshine away





Please, don't take my sunshine away
Please, don't take my sunshine away

Overall Meaning

Mitchell's "You Are My Sunshine" is a love song that has been sung for generations. At first glance, the lyrics seem sweet and simple, but upon closer inspection, there is more depth to the song. The singer is expressing their deep love and devotion to someone who brings light into their life, even when everything else is gloomy. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is deeply afraid of losing their loved one, and the thought of it brings tears to their eyes.


The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has found their world in another person. The singer is happy and content when their loved one is present, and they long for their embrace when they are apart. The line "you make me happy when skies are grey" symbolizes the idea that no matter how difficult life gets, the loved one's presence brings light and positivity. The singer's fear of losing their loved one is clear when they plead "please, don't take my sunshine away." The song is a beautiful testament to the power of love, but also shows how fragile it is.


There are many interpretations of the song, and some have suggested that it has more melancholic themes than it initially seems. Some have claimed that the song is about a failed love affair, while others believe that it was sung in the context of the Great Depression, and was meant to lift people's spirits.


Line by Line Meaning

You are my sunshine
You bring light and happiness into my life, the way sunshine does.


My only sunshine
You are the only one who can make me feel this way.


You make me happy
Your presence in my life brings me joy and contentment.


When skies are grey
Even when life gets tough and things seem bleak, you have the power to brighten my day.


You'll never know, dear
I may never be able to fully express to you just how much you mean to me.


How much I love you
My feelings for you run deep and are filled with affection and devotion.


Please, don't take my sunshine away
I am afraid of losing you and the happiness you bring into my life.


The other night, dear
On another occasion, when I was feeling vulnerable and alone...


While I lay sleeping
During a time when my guard was down and my thoughts were free to wander...


I dreamt I held you in my arms
I imagined being close to you and feeling your warmth and love.


When I awoke, dear
But when reality set in and I had to face the harshness of the world...


I was mistaken
I realized that my dream was just a fantasy and couldn't become a reality.


So I hung my head and cried
I felt defeated and overcome with emotion, unable to hold back my tears.


Please, don't take my sunshine away
Once again, I plead with you to stay by my side and not leave me alone in the darkness.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jimmie Davis

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

Ollie

Everybody has such sad stories revolving around this song..

I relate to this song in a good way, sort of. I'm dating somebody who has Schizophrenia and suffers from suicidal thoughts and I normally end up crying because they are sad. I just found this song again, and noticed how much the lyrics relate to me.

"Please, don't take my sunshine away" I relate to this part because I don't wanna lose them.

"The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and I cried." I relate to this part because they live in Canada, while I live 5 hours away in America and have no way of getting to them. We've made plans about meeting up, but we don't know how we are going to do so.



All comments from YouTube:

MidnightWolf069

My mom and my grandma used to sing this to me when I was little. Sadly my mom passed away last year in August. I miss you mom and as this song goes, you're my sunshine my only sunshine. I'm having my first baby in April of this year and I'm gonna sing this to him like you sang it to me. We miss you bunches and he will always know of his grandma.

George Maguire

My wife of 53 years was in a coma for 3 weeks and I sang this to her EVERY day. She passed 5 years ago but It still bring tears to my eyes whenever I hear it. Miss you sweetie

Henderson

I'm sorry bout that bro. Man up

Anthony

@Henderson Why the disrespect?

Kimchi

I don’t think the guy was disrespecting, I think they meant like “man up, you can get through this!” Or something it was a bad choice of words but I don’t think they were trying to be disrespectful

Sharon Inman

Your post touched my heart...

J L

​@henderson6904 man up?? You're about one big POS! This man lost the love of his life and put him self out here with raw emotion to express his sorrow and it was most likely for himself to reflect and not for assclowns to bash him. So disrespectful and your mom should've swallowed you or at least did a better job of raising you.
To the gentleman that lost his wife, thank you for sharing and I'm so sorry for your loss and pain. I've been married for 28 years and cannot imagine the hell that you must have gone thru and most likely still go thru. I pray that you may find some peace and happiness knowing that you will be reunited and see your "sweetie" once again some day. I hope you sir, have a blessed day. ❤

1 More Replies...

Hope Waldronn

I am suffering from depression so I sing this song everyday to myself knowing that somewhere my sunshine will be waiting for me

Antidepressant19

Hold on you will get through.I pray for your quick recovery.

Ellie Hunt

You will get through and I hope u feel better in life

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