The Answer to the Last Letter'
Ray Price Lyrics


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I just received your last letter and I feel so blue
I'm paying dearly for promises broken so free
I never dreamed that there'd be such a longing for you
But I'm been no angel so I've got what's coming to me
I am so weary and tired of another's caress
Though I would love to be with you I know it's too late
But I still love you and that is one thing I'll confess
I know I deserve to be punished whatever my fate
[ fiddle ]
I'd give all these diamonds if I could be happy again
And have you hold me and tell me that we'd never part
Diamonds can never replace a true sweetheart or friend
All of this glamor can't banish the ache in my heart
All I have left is a dream of the days that are gone
All I have left is a mem'ry that never will fade




If you must leave me to suffer life's heartaches alone
I ask your forgiveness for all the mistakes I have made

Overall Meaning

Ray Price's song "The Answer to the Last Letter" is a melancholic country ballad about regret, nostalgia, and unfulfilled love. The lyrics depict a man who has received a final letter from his former lover, and he feels the weight of his mistakes and broken promises that led to their separation. He acknowledges that he has "got what's coming to me" for his infidelities, but he still can't help being consumed by the longing for his lost love. The song juxtaposes the material wealth that he has acquired with his emotional poverty and loneliness. He realizes that no amount of diamonds can replace the warmth and comfort of a genuine connection with someone he loves.


The fiddle accompaniment and Ray Price's distinctively plaintive voice reinforce the emotional impact of the lyrics. The song emphasizes the bittersweet beauty of lost love, and how it can haunt one's thoughts and memories. The singer of the song acknowledges his flaws and failures, but he also recognizes the preciousness and fragility of love - something that he can never regain or replace.


Line by Line Meaning

I just received your last letter and I feel so blue
I just got your letter and it's made me sad


I'm paying dearly for promises broken so free
I'm suffering for not keeping my promises


I never dreamed that there'd be such a longing for you
I never thought I'd miss you this much


But I've been no angel so I've got what's coming to me
But I deserve to feel this way because of what I've done


I am so weary and tired of another's caress
I'm tired of being with someone else


Though I would love to be with you I know it's too late
Even though I want to be with you, I know it's impossible now


But I still love you and that is one thing I'll confess
But I want you to know that I still love you


I know I deserve to be punished whatever my fate
I know I deserve to suffer for what I've done


[fiddle]
(instrumental)


I'd give all these diamonds if I could be happy again
I would give everything I have just to be happy again


And have you hold me and tell me that we'd never part
And to have you hug me and promise that we'll always be together


Diamonds can never replace a true sweetheart or friend
Material things can never take the place of a real love or friendship


All of this glamor can't banish the ache in my heart
All the fancy things in the world can't make the pain go away


All I have left is a dream of the days that are gone
All I have now is memories of the past


All I have left is a mem'ry that never will fade
All I have left is a memory that will always stay with me


If you must leave me to suffer life's heartaches alone
If you have to leave me and I have to deal with life on my own


I ask your forgiveness for all the mistakes I have made
Please forgive me for all the things I've done wrong




Contributed by Wyatt V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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