'Round Midnight
Monk's Music Trio Lyrics

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It begins to tell
'Round midnight, midnight
I do pretty well, till after sundown
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
But it really gets bad
'Round midnight

Memories always start 'round midnight

Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
When my heart is still with you
And ol' midnight knows it, too
When a quarrel we had needs mending
Does it mean that our love is ending
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart
And I'm out of my mind

Let our hearts take wings'
'Round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing
For your returning
Till our love is safe and sound
And old midnight comes around
Feelin' sad

Really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight

Overall Meaning

The song 'Round Midnight by Monk's Music Trio starts with the singer explaining how 'Round Midnight carries the beginning of a story. The singer further explains that at 'Round Midnight, things start to unravel for him. He states that he usually does well during the daylight hours, and supper time is when he starts to feel sad. However, as the night goes on, things take a turn for the worse, and he explains that 'Round Midnight is when it really gets bad. He then goes on to talk about how memories come flooding back at midnight, but he can't handle them because his heart is still with someone he loves.

The singer goes on to reveal that he questions the state of his love affair. He wonders if having quarrels means that their love is ending or if there could still be a chance at mending their bond. He then confesses his need for the person he loves and how he finds himself "out of his mind" while they are out of his heart. Finally, the singer suggests that he hopes their love will be rekindled and that the angels will sing when they are reunited.

In conclusion, the song 'Round Midnight captures the singer's melancholic and restless mood that increases as the night goes on. His feelings of sadness and longing for his love create a feeling of vulnerability that is expressed powerfully through the melody and the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

It begins to tell
The story begins

'Round midnight, midnight
At midnight when the moon is full

I do pretty well, till after sundown
I'm okay during the day, but once the sun sets, my mood changes

Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
I feel sad around dinner time

But it really gets bad
As the night wears on, my mood worsens

'Round midnight
At midnight when the moon is full

Memories always start 'round midnight
I always start reminiscing about the past at midnight

Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
I can't bear to think of those memories

When my heart is still with you
When my heart still belongs to you

And ol' midnight knows it, too
Even midnight seems to know how I feel

When a quarrel we had needs mending
When we need to reconcile after a fight