Softly As I Leave You
Ronnie Aldrich Lyrics


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Softly I will leave you softly
For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go
So I leave you softly long before you miss me
Long before your arms can beg me to stay
For one more hour or one more day
After all the years I can't bear the tears to fall so
Softly, as I leave you there
Softly I will leave you softly
For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go
So I leave you softly long before you miss me
Long before your arms can beg me to stay
For one more hour or one more day




After all the years I can't bear the tears to fall so
Softly, as I leave you there

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ronnie Aldrich's song Softly As I Leave You describe the pain of leaving someone you love. The singer is aware of the heartbreak that their departure would cause, so they decide to leave quietly and without awakening their partner. The singer acknowledges that if they stay longer, the separation will be even more painful. The singer says they can not bear the thought of making their beloved cry, so they choose to leave gently, hoping that their partner will not be too hurt.


The song seems to be about a long-term relationship that is coming to an end, perhaps because the singer must leave for a significant amount of time. The decision to leave is poignant, but the singer is confident that the love they shared will endure. The singer is focused on sparing their beloved as much pain as possible and leaving with dignity.


The music behind the lyrics emphasizes the melancholic tone of the song, with calming piano notes and gentle rhythms. The choice of the word "softly" in the title and repeated throughout the song emphasizes the tenderness of the singer's departure.


Line by Line Meaning

Softly I will leave you softly
I will leave you quietly and gently


For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go
If you wake up and see me leaving, it would be unbearable for me to see the pain in your eyes


So I leave you softly long before you miss me
I choose to leave before you start missing me


Long before your arms can beg me to stay
I leave before you have a chance to convince me to stay


For one more hour or one more day
Even if I were to stay a little longer, it wouldn't make a difference in the long run


After all the years I can't bear the tears to fall so
After spending so many years with you, I can't handle the thought of making you cry


Softly, as I leave you there
I leave you with tenderness and care




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTONIO DE VITA, HAL SHAPER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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