Widely respected as one of the world’s foremost fingerstyle guitarists and harp-guitarists, Muriel Anderson is the first woman to have won the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. She is host of the renowned Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night® and founder of the Music for Life Alliance charity. Her music can be heard in Woody Allen’s film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” and her “Heartstrings” recording accompanied the astronauts on the space shuttle Discovery. Touring in the USA and internationally year round, Muriel’s obvious joy of music and facility across musical genres is revered by guitarists and audiences worldwide. Her recent project is a collaboration with Germany's renowned duo, Tierra Negra.
Hi-Lili Hi-Lo
Muriel Anderson Lyrics
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On every tree there sits a bird, and ev'ryone I ever heard
Could break my heart without a word singing a song of love
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A song of love is a song of woe, don't ask me how I know
A song of love is a sad song, for I have loved and it's so
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A tear for him, a tear for me, A tear for the love he swore
A tear for him and one for me, and one for under the cedar tree
And one for where ever my love my be, and then I shall weep no more
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
A song of love is a song of woe, don't ask me how I know
A song of love is a sad song, for I have loved and it's so
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Tomorrow i'll probably love again, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
The lyrics to Muriel Anderson's Hi-lili Hi-lo speak to the powerful emotions of love and heartbreak. The opening lines describe how every bird sings a song of love, but that every one of those songs could break the singer's heart without them ever saying a word. The song goes on to explain how a song of love is also a song of woe, conveying the deep sadness that accompanies lost love. The singer watches the rain outside their window, pining for their lost love and acknowledging the pain that comes with loving someone.
The final verse of the song speaks to the tears that come with lost love. The singer sheds a tear for themselves, for their lost love, and for wherever their love may be now. The final line indicates that these tears may be the last ones they cry, implying a sense of closure or resolution.
Overall, the lyrics of Hi-lili Hi-lo convey the deep sorrow that accompanies lost love, while also acknowledging the possibility of love returning in the future. The song is a poignant reminder of the intense emotional experiences that come with loving someone deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
On every tree there sits a bird, singing a song of love
There are birds on every tree singing love songs, and every time I hear one it makes me feel heartbroken.
A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Love songs are often sad, and this song is no exception.
A song of love is a song of woe, don't ask me how I know
Love songs are filled with sadness and heartache, and I have experienced this firsthand.
I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
I am sitting by the window watching the rain, feeling the sadness of lost love.
Tomorrow I'll probably love again, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Even though love can be sad, I know I will likely fall in love again in the future.
A tear for him, a tear for me, A tear for the love he swore
I am shedding tears for both myself and my lost love, as well as the promises he made to me.
And one for under the cedar tree, and one for where ever my love my be, and then I shall weep no more
I am crying for every place where we shared memories, but once I have cried enough, I will move on from this heartbreak.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRONISLAW KAPER, HELEN DEUTSCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind