Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Stormy Monday Blues
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord Lord, love Tuesday's just as bad
Wednesday's worse, Lord Thursday's also sad
Too sad
The eagle flies on Friday, all Saturday I go out and play
Oh the eagle flies on Friday, but Lord on Saturday I go out and play
And on Sunday I go to church, get on my knees and I pray
This is what I gotta say boy
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy,
Lord Lord Lord Lord, Lord have mercy on me
Yes, I know it's true
Now good Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy
You know my hearts a misery, oh yeah Lord have mercy baby
Gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta find my baby
You got to find my honey chow
Send her back, back home to me
Because, because
My room has got two windows
And the sunshine never comes through
So so dark and lonely
Since I, broke it off girl with you
I live on a lonely avenue
Little girl wouldn't say I do
And I'm oh so sad and blue
It's all because of you
I wanna cry, I wanna cry
Lord I wanna die
I live on a lonely avenue
Lonely avenue
My feet they feel like lead
And my pillow it feels like stone
Well, I keep on tossing and turning every night
It's no good being alone
I live on a lonely avenue
Girl don't say I do
Well, I feel so sad and blue
It's all because of you
I could cry, I could cry
Lord I could die, see me die
I live on a lonely avenue
A lonely avenue
Well my room has got two windows
And the sunshine never comes through
So so dark and lonely
Since I, broke it off with you
I live on a lonely avenue
Girl don't say I do
And I'm so so sad and blue
It's all because of you
I wanna cry, I wanna die
But I live on a lonely avenue
A lonely avenue
Lonely avenue
I've gotta get through it now
Oh the days were mine
You gotta be with you
I'm gonna leave this town baby
Yes, I wanna leave the town
Tomorrow night that's true
I wanna cry, I wanna cry
I wanna die
I live on a lonely avenue
A lonely avenue
Van Morrison's song Stormy Monday is a blues ballad with soulful themes of heartbreak, loss and loneliness. The opening lines, "We're gon' call it stormy Monday, baby, Lord Lord, love Tuesday's just as bad," suggest a melancholy mood that persists through the week. The singer struggles with the pain of losing his lover, symbolized by the darkness in his room and the loneliness he feels. He hopes to reconcile with his lost love, "You got to find my honey chow, Send her back, back home to me, Because, because."
The song continues with a declaration of faith, expressed through the singer's description of his religious practice. He confesses his sadness, asking for mercy from the Lord, and prays on Sunday. The song is a powerful commentary on love and loss, and the mysterious connection between earthly suffering and divine grace. Overall, the song is a beautiful example of how the blues can capture the depths of human emotion with simplicity and grace.
Line by Line Meaning
We're gon' call it stormy Monday, baby
Today feels like a stormy day, filled with difficulties and struggles.
Lord Lord, love Tuesday's just as bad
Tuesday is as difficult as Monday.
Wednesday's worse, Lord Thursday's also sad
As the week goes on, things continue to get worse, leading to sadness.
Too sad
It's just too much to handle.
The eagle flies on Friday, all Saturday I go out and play
On Fridays, things seem to improve, leading to a time of relaxation on Saturdays.
Oh the eagle flies on Friday, but Lord on Saturday I go out and play
Fridays bring hope, but Saturdays bring a desire for leisure and enjoyment.
And on Sunday I go to church, get on my knees and I pray
On Sundays, there is a need for spiritual guidance and comfort.
This is what I gotta say boy
I want to express how I'm feeling.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy,
I need help, I need mercy.
Lord Lord Lord Lord, Lord have mercy on me
I need you to show me compassion and grace.
Yes, I know it's true
I recognize the reality of my situation.
Now good Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy
I am pleading for your assistance.
You know my hearts a misery, oh yeah Lord have mercy baby
I am in great emotional pain and need relief.
Gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta find my baby
I need to locate the one I love.
You got to find my honey chow
I need help finding my sweetheart.
Send her back, back home to me
I need her to come back to me.
Because, because
It's important for her to return to me.
My room has got two windows
My living space has two windows.
And the sunshine never comes through
My living space lacks natural light and warmth.
So so dark and lonely
I am in a state of emotional darkness and isolation.
Since I, broke it off girl with you
I ended my relationship with someone I loved, leading to my despair.
I live on a lonely avenue
I exist in a state of loneliness and sadness.
Little girl wouldn't say I do
The girl I loved wouldn't marry me.
And I'm oh so sad and blue
I am very melancholy and unhappy.
It's all because of you
My sorrow is because of my lost love.
I wanna cry, I wanna cry
I want to weep about my situation.
Lord I wanna die
I'm feeling so low that death seems like a reasonable option.
My feet they feel like lead
My feet feel heavy and difficult to move.
And my pillow it feels like stone
My pillow is uncomfortable and offers no comfort.
Well, I keep on tossing and turning every night
I am unable to sleep due to my emotional turmoil.
It's no good being alone
Being alone is not helpful or comforting.
Lonely avenue
I am walking down the road of loneliness.
I've gotta get through it now
I need to persevere and continue through this hard time.
Oh the days were mine
I wish for a time when I was happy and in control of my life.
You gotta be with you
I need to be true to myself in order to heal.
I'm gonna leave this town baby
I'm going to move on and start fresh.
Yes, I wanna leave the town
I want to escape the sadness I feel here.
Tomorrow night that's true
I am planning on leaving soon.
But I live on a lonely avenue
Despite leaving, I am still in a state of sadness and isolation.
A lonely avenue
I am still walking down the lonely road.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Aaron T-Bone Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind