When Dove Cries
Prince Lyrics


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Dig if you will the picture
Of you and I engaged in a kiss
The sweat of your body covers me
Can you my darling
Can you picture this?

Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
Animals strike curious poses
They feel the heat
The heat between me and you

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (she's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry

Touch if you will my stomach
Feel how it trembles inside
You've got the butterflies all tied up
Don't make me chase you
Even doves have pride

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world so cold? (World so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (she's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold? (A world that's so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding (maybe, maybe I'm like my father)
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold (you know he's too bold)
Maybe you're just like my mother (maybe you're just like my mother)
She's never satisfied (she's never, never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other? (Why do we scream? Why?)
This is what it sounds like

When doves cry
When doves cry (doves cry, doves cry)
When doves cry (doves cry, doves cry)

Don't cry (don't cry)

When doves cry
When doves cry
When doves cry

When doves cry (doves cry, doves cry, doves cry
Don't cry
Darling don't cry
Don't cry




Don't cry
Don't don't cry

Overall Meaning

The song "When Doves Cry" by Prince/The Revolution talks about a troubled relationship between two people and how their love started fading away. The first verse talks about a potential moment of intimacy between the two lovers. The lyrics describe their passion for each other, how close they are, and how their intimacy feels. However, even though they have these moments of closeness, the doubts in their relationship remains.


In the second verse, Prince talks about a metaphorical "courtyard" of violets, which can be seen as a symbol of their love. The way the animals "strike curious poses" could represent the curiosity that people often observe in the sublime moments of any relationship. Even then, despite their connection, they still doubt their relationship's status and how it will turn out in the end.


The chorus expresses the confusion and anger present between the two characters in the song. Prince sings about feeling abandoned because of its potential ending. The last two lines not only repeat the title of the song but also give a twist to its meaning. As doves are known for crying, it seems strange that they would cry before their death, likely referencing the sorrow and pain felt in the demise of a good relationship.


Overall, "When Doves Cry" lyrics blend poetry with personal experiences as it talks about the complexities and fragility of human relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Dig if you will the picture
Imagine the scene


Of you and I engaged in a kiss
Of us kissing passionately


The sweat of your body covers me
Your sweating body is touching mine


Can you my darling
Can you picture this?


Dream if you can a courtyard
Imagine a courtyard


An ocean of violets in bloom
With violet flowers blooming all around


Animals strike curious poses
Animals nearby are noticing us


They feel the heat
They sense the passion


The heat between me and you
The passion between us


How can you just leave me standing?
Why would you leave me alone?


Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)
In a cold and unforgiving world?


Maybe I'm just too demanding
Perhaps I ask too much of you


Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Perhaps I also take too many risks like my father


Maybe you're just like my mother
Perhaps you, like my mother, are never satisfied


She's never satisfied (she's never satisfied)
Just like my mother who can never be pleased


Why do we scream at each other?
Why do we fight so much?


This is what it sounds like
This is how it is


When doves cry
When two hearts break and love is lost


Touch if you will my stomach
Touch my stomach, if you will


Feel how it trembles inside
Feel how fast my heart is pounding


You've got the butterflies all tied up
You make me so nervous and excited


Don't make me chase you
Don't make me work too hard for your love


Even doves have pride
Even the gentlest creatures can feel humiliated


When doves cry
When two hearts break and love is lost


Don't cry
Please don't cry


Darling don't cry
Sweetheart, don't you cry


Don't cry
Please don't cry


Don't don't cry
Please don't shed your tears




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@chaudcola

I know everyone is talking about purple rain but, for me, this is my favorite song from Prince

@tbinus7857

Without a doubt.

@user-sw2se7pf2s

By far

@cdoc1388

My Favorit is kiss =D

@ThogDontCare

Purple rain is one of my least favorite prince songs.

@sillyguy9828

Me too

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@bassreeves2410

fun fact: prince not only played every instrument in the song,he also arranged, produced and completed it in 12 hours. Genius

@markkavanagh7377

What happened to Minneapolis since they lost their Mozart? :(

@batman1169

mark kavanagh looting and shooting!

@milkshakemainz7361

Genius, talented af

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