Don't Tell Me
Nancy Wilson Lyrics


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Don't tell me you're saying goodbye
Don't tell me it's all been a lie
I should have known by your unchanging ways
That you would be leaving someday

Don't tell me you're leaving me now
When our friends all know of your vow
It's easy for you to say that we're through
But don't love another too soon

Don't think that you're life will be happy
Don't think that you're life will be gay
Don't think that you're closing the door to the past
And someone will treat you this way

You're leaving me now and it's over
And my heart just won't say goodbye
Love will forsake you and heartache will take you
And you'll be the one left to cry





Heartache will take you and love will forsake you
And you'll be the one left to cry

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, Nancy Wilson is expressing her disbelief and pain as her partner tells her they are leaving. She pleads with them not to say goodbye and not to suggest that their entire relationship has been a lie. She reflects on how their unchanging ways should have been a sign that this day would come eventually, but it still hits her hard.


Nancy Wilson also addresses the fact that their friends are aware of their vow to stay together, making the breakup even more difficult for her to accept. She accuses her partner of finding it easy to declare that they are through, but warns them not to rush into loving someone else too quickly. This implies a sense of betrayal and hurt that her partner would move on so swiftly.


The next set of lyrics carries a somewhat bitter tone as Nancy Wilson advises her partner not to expect happiness or joy in their future life without her. She dismisses the idea that they can simply close the door on their past and someone else will treat them well. It suggests that she believes her partner will face the same heartache and mistreatment they're inflicting on her.


The final lines highlight Nancy Wilson's lingering attachment to her partner, despite the pain they have caused her. She expresses that her heart refuses to let go and say goodbye. She predicts that love will abandon her partner, leaving them alone with heartache and the tears she has shed. These lyrics convey a sense of sadness and resignation, as Nancy Wilson seems to accept that her partner's departure will cause them suffering as well.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't tell me you're saying goodbye
Do not inform me that you are bidding farewell


Don't tell me it's all been a lie
Please refrain from stating that everything has been deceitful


I should have known by your unchanging ways
I ought to have realized from your consistent behavior


That you would be leaving someday
That you would eventually depart


Don't tell me you're leaving me now
Please do not disclose that you are departing at this very moment


When our friends all know of your vow
Considering our acquaintances are aware of your promise


It's easy for you to say that we're through
It is simple for you to proclaim that our relationship has concluded


But don't love another too soon
However, avoid falling in love with someone else quickly


Don't think that you're life will be happy
Do not believe that your existence will be filled with joy


Don't think that you're life will be gay
Do not assume that your life will be cheerful


Don't think that you're closing the door to the past
Do not believe that you are shutting the door on the past


And someone will treat you this way
And someone will mistreat you in this manner


You're leaving me now and it's over
You are currently departing from me, and it is the end


And my heart just won't say goodbye
Yet, my heart just cannot bid farewell


Love will forsake you and heartache will take you
Love will abandon you, and anguish will seize you


And you'll be the one left to cry
Eventually, you will be the lone individual left to weep


Heartache will take you and love will forsake you
Agony will seize you, and love will abandon you


And you'll be the one left to cry
And you will be the sole person left to shed tears




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRYANT, Sweeney, Steven Flight

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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