Once I Loved
Rosemary Clooney/John Pizarell Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I loved you, time and again I would try to say
All I'd want you to know
If I loved you, words wouldn't come in an easy way
'Round in circles I'd go
Longin' to tell you, but afraid and shy
I'd let my golden chances pass me by

Soon you'd leave me
Off you would go in the midst of day
Never, never to know




How I'd love you
If I loved you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in the song Once I Loved talk about the struggles of confessing one's love to someone. The first line "If I loved you, time and again I would try to say" sets the tone for the song as the singer expresses their longing to tell the person they love how they truly feel. However, the second line, "all I'd want you to know" highlights that the singer doesn't just want to express their feelings for the sake of it, but also to ensure that the person they love understands the depth of their emotion.


The following lines, "If I loved you, words wouldn't come in an easy way. 'Round in circles I'd go," further emphasize the struggle to convey emotions through words. The singer is unable to find the right words to express their love, which often leads them to repeat themselves or get lost in their thoughts. The line "Longin' to tell you, but afraid and shy" indicates that the singer may not have the courage to confess their feelings, despite their ardent desire to do so. They may be afraid of rejection, or they may not want to ruin the relationship they have with the person they love.


Line by Line Meaning

If I loved you, time and again I would try to say
If I truly loved you, I'd make multiple attempts to express my feelings


All I'd want you to know
Everything I wish to convey


If I loved you, words wouldn't come in an easy way
It would be difficult for me to express my emotions through language


'Round in circles I'd go
I'd be indecisive, going back and forth in thought


Longin' to tell you, but afraid and shy
I desire to reveal my feelings, but I'm too scared and timid


I'd let my golden chances pass me by
I'd miss my opportunities to confess my affection


Soon you'd leave me
Eventually, you'd depart from my presence


Off you would go in the midst of day
Departing during daylight hours


Never, never to know
Without the knowledge of my adoration


How I'd love you
The intensity of my romantic attraction towards you


If I loved you
The hypothetical scenario of truly having amorous feelings towards you




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Oscar II Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers

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

@straightawayproject

Once I loved,
And I gave so much love to this love,
It was the world to me.
Once I cried,
At the thought I was foolish and proud,
And let you say goodbye.
Then one day,
From my infinite sadness you came,
And brought me love again.
Now I know,
That no matter whatever befalls,
I'll never let you go.
I will hold you close,
Make you stay.
Because love,
Is the saddest thing,
When it goes away.
Because love,
Is the saddest thing,
When it goes away.



All comments from YouTube:

@samdavis6108

Had to play this just now, finding out she has died. So very sad about this.

@user-xy7gl4bh6l

Thank you for all the contribution to music. Rest In Peace, beautiful soul

@AJBerry-ox3oe

Love is the saddest thing....when it goes away. Rest In Peace

@retrorockdriquesrock9638

Will some body please acknowledge that this is beautifull

@gerardjansens1748

This is beautiful

@frahn1702

It’s beautiful!

@osfmusic8374

Right there with you

@virirodriguez1475

Thank you for your voice. It will stay forever in our hearts. 🌷Rest in peace⚘

@Mina-ok5qm

It's so gorgeous I just can't

@williamwilkins2279

This lady is absolutely phenominal...in a league all of her own.

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