I Cover the Waterfront
Sonny Til & The Orioles Lyrics


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I cover the waterfront,
I'm watching the sea,,
Will the one I love,
Be coming back to me?

I cover the waterfront,
In search of my love,
And I'm covered by,
A starless sky above.

Here am I,
Patiently waiting,
Hoping and longing,
Oh! How I yearn!
Where are you?
Are you forgetting?
Do you remember?
Will you return?

I cover the waterfront,
I'm watching the sea,




For the one I love,
Must come back to me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Cover the Waterfront" by Sonny Til & The Orioles express a theme of unrequited love and longing. The singer is watching the sea, covering the waterfront, hoping that the one they love will return to them. The use of imagery and metaphors is significant as the starless sky above represents the singer's feelings of loneliness and despair. The lines "Here am I, Patiently waiting, Hoping and longing, Oh! How I yearn!" convey an intense desire for the return of the beloved, while also showing the singer's vulnerability.


The chorus of the song reflects the underlying message of hope, as well as desperation, that is woven throughout the lyrics. The repetition of the phrase, "I cover the waterfront, I'm watching the sea, For the one I love, Must come back to me" emphasizes the singer's emotional state, as they cling to the possibility of a happy ending to their love story.


Overall, "I Cover the Waterfront" is a moving song that speaks to the universal experience of waiting for love. The lyrics are poignant and expressive, and the melody is haunting and beautiful, which makes it a timeless classic.


Line by Line Meaning

I cover the waterfront,
I am searching every part of the coastline


I'm watching the sea,
I am closely observing the tides


Will the one I love,
Am I still the object of affection?


Be coming back to me?
Will they return to me?


In search of my love,
I am scouring every corner to find my love


And I'm covered by,
I am shielded by


A starless sky above.
A sky filled with darkness and the unknown


Here am I,
I am present now


Patiently waiting,
I am biding my time


Hoping and longing,
I am desperately wishing for a reunion


Oh! How I yearn!
I ache with longing!


Where are you?
Where have you gone?


Are you forgetting?
Have you forgotten about me?


Do you remember?
Do you recall our love?


Will you return?
Will you come back to me?


For the one I love,
Because the one I love


Must come back to me.
Must return to me.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, John W. Green

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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