Stand By Me
The Drifters & Ben E. King Lyrics


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When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me

If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me, yeah

Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me





Darlin', darlin', stand by me, stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

Overall Meaning

The Drifters' "Stand by Me" is a timeless classic about the importance of having someone to rely on during times of darkness and fear. The first verse sets the scene of a dark and uncertain night, where the only glimmer of light is the moon. Despite the ominous setting, the singer assures that they will not be afraid as long as their companion stands by their side. This sentiment is echoed in the chorus, where the singer pleads for their loved one to stand by them. The repetition of "stand by me" emphasizes the importance of dependability and support in a relationship.


The second verse takes a more dramatic turn, imagining the worst possible scenario - the sky falling and mountains crumbling. But even in this apocalyptic vision, the singer remains steadfast in their conviction that they won't cry or shed a tear as long as their loved one stands by them. The repetition of "stand by me" in the chorus takes on a newfound urgency, emphasizing that the strength of the relationship is truly tested in times of crisis.


Overall, "Stand by Me" is a powerful ode to the enduring strength of love and support. It's a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we don't have to face them alone.


Line by Line Meaning

When the night has come
When darkness engulfs the world around us


And the land is dark
And everything around us is shrouded in darkness


And the moon is the only light we'll see
And the only source of light is the moon


No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
I will not succumb to my fears


Just as long as you stand, stand by me
As long as you remain by my side


And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me
And my love, my love, stay with me, oh stay with me now


If the sky that we look upon
If the sky that we gaze up at


Should tumble and fall
Were to suddenly collapse and fall down upon us


And the mountains should crumble to the sea
And if the mountains were to be cast down into the ocean


I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
I will stay strong and resolute in the face of disaster


Just as long as you stand, stand by me
As long as you continue to support me


Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me, oh now now stand by me
If you ever find yourself in need, won't you stay by my side


Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Oh remain with me, stay with me, don't leave me


Darlin', darlin', stand by me, stand by me
My love, my love, stay with me, stay by my side


Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Oh stay with me, stay with me, don't let me go




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BEN KING, JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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