Help Me Make It Through the Night
Smith Sammi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake it loose and let it fall
Lay it soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Til the early mornin' light
All I'm takin' is your time
I don't care what's right or wrong
I won't try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
But tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
And it's sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
And it's sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
I don't want to be alone
Help me make it through the night
"Help Me Make It Through The Night" by Sammi Smith is a hauntingly beautiful song about loneliness and the desperation for human connection. The opening verse, "Take the ribbon from my hair, shake it loose and let it fall" evokes a sense of vulnerability and intimacy as the singer is asking her lover to let her hair down and lay it soft upon her skin. The shadow on the wall here could represent the temporary nature of human connections and how they can easily slip away.
The second verse, "I don't care what's right or wrong, I won't try to understand" highlights the character's emotional fragility and how she's willing to sacrifice logic and reason for the sake of companionship. The lyric "Let the devil take tomorrow" is a reference to how the singer is living in the moment and not thinking about the consequences of her actions. The song's overall message is that sometimes all we need is human connection to get us through the night and face tomorrow.
Overall, "Help Me Make It Through The Night" is a beautifully written and performed song that touches upon the universal theme of loneliness and human connection. The desperation in the lyrics and the haunting melody make it a powerful and emotional experience for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the ribbon from my hair
Remove the ribbon from my hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Loosen it and let it fall
Lay it soft upon my skin
Place it gently on my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Similar to the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Come and lie next to me
Til the early mornin' light
Until the early morning light
All I'm takin' is your time
All I want is your time
Help me make it through the night
Assist me in getting through the night
I don't care what's right or wrong
I am not concerned about what is right or wrong
I won't try to understand
I will not attempt to comprehend
Let the devil take tomorrow
Allow the future to handle itself
But tonight I need a friend
However, tonight I require a companion
Yesterday is dead and gone
Yesterday is in the past
And tomorrow's out of sight
The future is unknown
And it's sad to be alone
Being alone is depressing
Help me make it through the night
Assist me in getting through the night
And it's sad to be alone
Being alone is depressing
Help me make it through the night
Assist me in getting through the night
I don't want to be alone
I do not want to be alone
Help me make it through the night
Assist me in getting through the night
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sylvester63
Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Lay it soft against my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early morning light
All I'm takin' is your time
Help me make it through the night
"Help Me Make It Through The Night" is a country music ballad written and composed by Kris Kristofferson and released on his 1970 album Kristofferson. It was covered later in 1970 by Sammi Smith, on the album Help Me Make It Through the Night.
@waynejohanson1083
That Kris Kristofferson was one great songwriter.
@jimshackleford8712
Sure miss them good old days of music
@drydirttelepathy6150
This song popped in my head today. The world is sad and beautiful place. Magic!!!!
@mimisgirls1
I met my husband in April of 1971, and we were married in November of that year. When I first heard this song, I looked into his eyes, and my heart burst with love for him. There was never another man that I wanted to take the ribbon from my hair and to lay down by my side...he was the only one. I've listened to this song hundreds of times over the years, always remembering listening and looking into his face all those years ago, as if it was yesterday. We were married just 2 months shy of 50 years. He died in the hospital from complications from covid last August. My world was shattered, my heart broken into a million pieces. The words from this song "its sad to be alone" have a different meaning for me now than they did back then, but I know the lonely nights will end, and we'll be together again soon.
@mikesmith8440
I met my wife sue in 1971 August 2 I was 18 and we married on 27th November of same year we met on the isle of Wight and were together for 38 yrs before I lost her my love for her has never died I'm alone too but only in spirit she was in the words of non Marley my one love xxx
@janiceb.2523
MY CONDOLENCES SWEETIE. I LOST MY DAUGHTER IN SEPTEMBER DUE TO COVID BUT HER BIRTHDAY WAS IN AUGUST. MANY BLESSINGS. SOME DO NOT KNOW OF THE LOVE YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND HAD. HUGS β€
@LoneLee2022
Rips your heart out..................
@jamesgressler678
-Wow Sammi you had it all!
@evafagundo6263
so sorry for your loss I also lost my husband I know exactly what you're feeling ππ
@robertwhite7594
It's good to see that my Grandmother is still bringing happiness to those with her music. She was truly one of a kind.