'Round Midnight
T.Monk C.Williams & B.D. Hanighen Lyrics


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It begins to tell
'Round midnight, midnight
I do pretty well, till after sundown
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
But it really gets bad
'Round midnight

Memories always start 'round midnight
Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
When my heart is still with you
And ol' midnight knows it, too
When a quarrel we had needs mending
Does it mean that our love is ending
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart
And I'm out of my mind

Let our hearts take wings'
'Round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing
For your returning
Till our love is safe and sound
And old midnight comes around
Feelin' sad




Really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight

Overall Meaning

The song "Round Midnight" is a jazz standard that has been performed by many artists, but one of the most famous versions is by Thelonious Monk. The lyrics are about the feeling of loneliness and heartbreak that can come late at night, around midnight. The singer starts by saying that they usually do okay until after sundown, but then they start to feel sad, especially during suppertime. But it's really around midnight when the memories of lost love start to come back, and the singer can't help but feel the pain.


The second verse is about how the singer's heart is still with their lost love, even though they are no longer together. The singer wonders if a recent quarrel means that their love is ending for good, and they express their need for the other person. The chorus then urges the other person to return so their love can be restored, and the singer can feel happy again. The song ends with the repeated refrain of feeling sad and lost around midnight, highlighting the cyclical nature of the pain.


Overall, the lyrics capture the feeling of heartbreak and longing that can come at night. The use of "round midnight" as a specific time creates a sense of urgency and adds to the emotional impact of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

It begins to tell
The story usually starts


'Round midnight, midnight
At midnight, when it's dark outside


I do pretty well, till after sundown
I am usually okay until the sun sets


Suppertime I'm feelin' sad
During dinner time, I feel down and melancholic


But it really gets bad
However, my sadness gets worse


'Round midnight
Around midnight


Memories always start 'round midnight
Nostalgic memories tend to arise late at night


Haven't got the heart to stand those memories
I cannot bear to face those memories


When my heart is still with you
When my heart belongs to you


And ol' midnight knows it, too
And even the night time knows who I am thinking about


When a quarrel we had needs mending
When we need to reconcile after an argument


Does it mean that our love is ending
Does this signify that our love is coming to an end?


Darlin' I need you, lately I find
Sweetheart, I need you; lately I've realized


You're out of my heart
That you've left my heart


And I'm out of my mind
And I am out of my senses and distraught


Let our hearts take wings'
Let us feel a soaring or uplifting sensation in our hearts


'Round midnight, midnight
Late at night, in the dark


Let the angels sing
May the heavenly hosts vocalize


For your returning
In anticipation of your arrival


Till our love is safe and sound
Until our love is secure and free from danger


And old midnight comes around
And midnight arrives once again


Feelin' sad
Feeling the weight of sadness


Really gets bad
Truly becomes unbearable


Round, Round, Round Midnight
Late at night, the cycle repeats




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D Hanighen, Theolonious S Monk

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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