Harbor Lights
Platters (the) Lyrics


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I saw the harbor lights
They only told me we were parting
The same old harbor lights that once brought you to me
I watched the harbor lights
How could I help if tears were starting
Goodbye to tender nights beside the silv'ry sea

I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more
But you were on the ship and I was on the shore

Now I know lonely nights
For all the while my heart is whisp'ring
Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me

I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more
But you were on the ship and I was on the shore

Now I know lonely nights




For all the while my heart is whisp'ring
Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me

Overall Meaning

The Platters' hit "Harbor Lights" is a poignant love ballad that speaks to long-distance relationships and the separation that comes with them. The singer is watching a harbor from the shore, seeing the lights of departing ships and feeling the pain of separation. The harbor lights themselves become symbols of love and loss as the singer imagines some other harbor light stealing away his love. He longs to hold her and kiss her once more, but instead, he is left with the loneliness of their absence.


The use of the harbor lights as a metaphor for love and separation is particularly poignant. The lights on departing ships, once a symbol of hope and joy, now represent an ending rather than a beginning. The singer's sadness is palpable in the heartfelt lyrics, which capture the sorrow of those who are left behind in long-distance relationships.


The song's melody is simple but beautiful, emphasizing the emotional weight of the lyrics. The Platters' soulful harmonies add depth to the song, conveying the complex emotions of love and loss with great sensitivity.


Line by Line Meaning

I saw the harbor lights
I witnessed the glowing lights signaling departure at the harbor


They only told me we were parting
The lights conveyed the message that we were to part ways


The same old harbor lights that once brought you to me
I reminisce of the same lights that brought us together before


I watched the harbor lights
I observed the brightly lit harbor as the ship set sail


How could I help if tears were starting
I couldn't control the emotions that triggered tears to flow


Goodbye to tender nights beside the silv'ry sea
Farewell to the loving nights spent by the glistening sea


I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more
I yearn to embrace you and share another passionate kiss


But you were on the ship and I was on the shore
You were on the departing ship, and I remained on the shore


Now I know lonely nights
I am experiencing solitude and longing


For all the while my heart is whispering
My heart communicates to me in hushed tones


Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me
Some other place or person will take away the love that we once shared




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY KENNEDY, WILHELM GROSS, HUGH WILLIAMS

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

@Mike16011

THE HARBOR LIGHTS

I saw the harbor lights,
they only told me we were parting.
The same old harbor lights that once brought you to me.

I watched the harbor lights,
how could I help if tears were starting.
Goodbye to tender nights, beside the silvery sea.

I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more.
But you were on the ship and I was on the shore.

Now, I know lonely nights
for all the while my heart is whispering.
Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me.

I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more.
But you were on the ship and I was on the shore.

Now, I know lonely nights
for all the while my heart is whispering.
Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me.



@7cabano

I saw the harbor lights
They only told me we were parting
The same old harbor lights that once brought you to me
I watched the harbor lights
How could I help if tears were starting
Goodbye to tender nights beside the silv'ry sea

I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more
But you were on the ship and I was on the shore

Now I know lonely nights
For all the while my heart is whisp'ring
Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me

I long to hold you near and kiss you just once more
But you were on the ship and I was on the shore

Now I know lonely nights
For all the while my heart is whisp'ring
Some other harbor lights will steal your love from me



All comments from YouTube:

@garyvandecar2580

Tony Williams has the smooth silky voice of the 1950's to early 1960's. 1960 Harbor Light. Sadly Tony Williams would retire from the music business the next year in 1961 when he felt that the oice was no longer there.

@colettemcauley5988

No matter how much I try I can't find the words to express how great the platters were. His voice is like velvet.

@canpat719

To say that the Platters were in a class of their own would be a huge understatement. They had a sound that was mesmerizing, hypnotic and uplifting, which took their fans to a special place ... every time each and every one of us would hear their music!!!!

@billyb5059

Actually wrote by a man working on Grimsby dock

@radomirratkovic9014

@@billyb5059 Grimsby dock?

@radomirratkovic9014

Totally agree...there is a mystic and dreamland connected with each and every second of their music
Those were the times of the quality,times of the rich and uplifting arrangements and sounds that were great and unforgettable...some songs and artists will never get old and the Platters are one of such artists that will never be forgotten..

@jsc2606

@@radomirratkovic9014 because they can actually sing like most of that era unlike today where most cannot project their voice without backup aside bar the likes of Ed Sheeran.

@radomirratkovic9014

@@jsc2606 I agree....today's artist of advanced electronic age do use many alterations and studio tricks to sound acceptable...I have met many like that and they can not put three note harmony together and on record every single one is Nina Simone

@francisalanwormald6328

NOW 85 I RECALL VIVIDLY HOW MUCH I LOVED THEM IN MY TEENS....SO THRILLING TO HEAR ONCE MORE!!!

@02chefnurse

This reminds me of my father. On Sundays, this is the oldies that we listen. Dad takes mom's hand and they slow dance...

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