In 1970 they made the album "Your Husband, My Wife". The song "Your Husband, My Wife" of that album made it to #22 on the country chart.
Dear John
Skeeter Davis & Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another dear John
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
But then I opened up the letter and that started dear John
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
But tonight I wed your brother dear John
And tonight I wed another dear John
The song "Dear John Letter" by Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare tells a story of a woman who writes a letter to her lover, informing him that she no longer loves him, and that she has found someone else. The lyrics convey a sense of sadness and regret as the woman feels torn between her feelings for her former lover and her desire to move on with her life. She apologizes for breaking his heart and mentions that she is getting married to his own brother.
The lyrics are highly emotional and depict the tough situation the woman is in. She is trying to let her love know that it's over without hurting him more than she needs to. Itโs a delicate balance between being honest and not causing too much pain. The phrase โDear Johnโ is military slang given to a letter a soldier receives from home when his or her partner ends a relationship. The phrase became a common phrase to describe a letter expressing a similar message.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear John oh how I hate to write dear John I must let you know tonight
I regretfully write to inform you, my beloved John, that my love for you has faded and I need to express it to you this evening.
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
The passion and affection that I once had for you has gradually disappeared, as grass withers away on a lawn.
And tonight I wed another dear John
It pains me to inform you that I am marrying someone else, another John, this evening.
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
While I was away on military duty, I received a letter from you.
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
Initially, I was elated to receive a letter from you while I was far from home.
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
Since the war had ended and the conflicts were now resolved, I had hoped for good news.
But then I opened up the letter and that started dear John
However, my excitement was short-lived as I began reading the letter, and it began with the phrase 'Dear John'.
Won't you please send back my picture my husband wants it now
In the letter, you requested that I return the photograph that I had sent you, since your present husband desires it.
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
I realized that you would not be perturbed by my decision to wed someone else, especially given my choice of partner.
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
I express my sorrow over losing my love for you, and having to come clean about it.
But tonight I wed your brother dear John
Shockingly, tonight I am marrying your own sibling, a John, after ending our relationship.
Lyrics ยฉ Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY BARTON, CHARLES FUZZY OWENS, LEWIS A. TALLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dunhillan8360
Skeeter
Dear John, oh how I hate to write
Dear John, I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another, dear John.
Bobby
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
But then I opened up the letter and that started, dear John
Won't you please send back my picture my husband wants it now
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
But tonight I wed your brother, dear John.
Skeeter
And tonight I wed another, dear John.
@mevb
The swedish version of this song has a monologue that goes like this: I was drafted, far from all honor and neatness. Every day I wrote to my fiancee but she didn't write that often. But one day, a letter came and when I overjoyed ripped it up I noticed that it formally began with "Dear John. Would you send back my photo, for my future husband wants it." The guys at the hatch thought it was a bummer since I only lived for her. And you know about guys, they gatheted all the pictures they had of girls and made me write this: " I don't remember how you look. Please choose your photo and send back the others. Signed, Your dear John."
@juditjuhasz9395
It's good for my heart that you wrote this. Thx : )
@Rcaneneophyte8906
My parents were fans of Skeeter Davis. I grew up listening to this song, my dad was always sad whenever this song played & I never knew why. 30 years later this song still strikes a melancholic chord with me after my ex of 13 years left me to marry some guy off a dating app while I was posted abroad...Sad songs always tell a story dad...now I understand.
@piusokwu3560
Like, if you are under 30 but love this song. You have an old soul.
@oluwaseunajose3474
This song has been living rent free in my heart for some days.. love it.
@sheryljones5207
Both Bobby and Skeeter sounded so well together. I sure miss singer and song writer's like this. They both were so talented.
@williamrolls8075
Hello Sheryl
@Alhajiakosaqueen
This song makes me remember my childhood days โฆ I miss u mum
@michillene
Remember this as a little girl,loved it then,love it now.Wonder how many actually lived this beautiful,sad song.
@charlesbritto2779
I loved this song and still do. Beautiful memories.