Stormy Weather
Waters Ethel Lyrics


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Don't know why
There's no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all the time

Life is bare
Gloom and misery everywhere
Stormy weather
Just can't get my poor old self together
I'm weary all the time
The time
So weary all the time

When he went away the blues walked in and met me
If he stays away, that old rocking chair will get me
All I do is pray the lord above will let me
Walk in that sun once more

Can't go on
All I have in life is gone
Stormy Weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all the time
Keeps raining all the time

I walk around heavy-hearted and sad
Night comes around and I'm still feeling bad
Rain pouring down, blinding every hope I have
It's pittering, pattering, beating, and splattering
Drives me mad
Love, love, love, love
This misery is just too much for me

Can't go on
All I have in life is gone
Stormy Weather
Since my man and I ain't together




Keeps raining all the time
Keeps raining all the time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ethel Waters' "Stormy Weather" describe the pain and heartbreak of a love lost from the singer's perspective. The opening line "Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky, stormy weather" sets the tone for the entire song, using rain and stormy weather as a metaphor for the emotional turmoil the singer is experiencing since her man left her. The chorus repeats the use of rain and bad weather, emphasizing that the singer is unable to shake off her sadness, as it "keeps raining all the time." The verses describe the hopelessness and despair that the singer feels, from "gloom and misery everywhere" to "All I do is pray the lord above will let me walk in that sun once more."


The song also uses vivid imagery to convey the singer's emotions. When she sings, "If he stays away, that old rocking chair will get me," she paints a picture of herself sitting alone in a dark room, almost as if the chair itself is a manifestation of her loneliness. The repetition of "can't go on" further emphasizes the singer's desperation and her inability to move forward without her man. The final verse uses onomatopoeia to describe the rain, using words like "pittering, splattering" to demonstrate the intensity of the storm and how it only adds to the singer's sense of defeat.


Overall, Ethel Waters' "Stormy Weather" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the pain of heartbreak through its vivid lyrics and use of metaphor. The song has since become a classic of the American songbook.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't know why
I cannot explain why


There's no sun up in the sky
The sky is dark and sunless


Stormy weather
The weather is rough and turbulent


Since my man and I ain't together
My man and I have separated, and this is the reason for the stormy weather


Keeps raining all the time
It keeps raining non-stop


Life is bare
Life is dull and empty


Gloom and misery everywhere
Everywhere I look, there is sadness and despair


Just can't get my poor old self together
I am unable to pull myself together


I'm weary all the time
I am constantly tired


The time
Always, continuously


So weary all the time
I am always tired


When he went away the blues walked in and met me
When my man left, I became sad and depressed


If he stays away, that old rocking chair will get me
If my man doesn't return, I will become an old woman sitting in a rocking chair


All I do is pray the lord above will let me
I just keep praying for a miracle from God


Walk in that sun once more
To experience happiness again


Can't go on
I cannot carry on


All I have in life is gone
Everything I have in my life is lost


I walk around heavy-hearted and sad
I walk around feeling weighed down and unhappy


Night comes around and I'm still feeling bad
Even at night, I am unable to shake off my sadness


Rain pouring down, blinding every hope I have
The rain is falling heavily, making me lose hope


It's pittering, pattering, beating, and splattering
The sound of raindrops is incessant and frustrating


Drives me mad
It makes me go crazy


Love, love, love, love
All I need is love


This misery is just too much for me
I find this pain and sadness unbearable


Keeps raining all the time
It keeps raining non-stop




Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@giuliocampus8523

Don't know why
There's no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time
Life is bare
Gloom and misery everywhere
Stormy weather
Just can't get my poor self together
I'm weary all the time, the time
So weary all the time
When he went away, the blues walked in and met me
If he stays away, old rocking chair will get me
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more
Can't go on
All I have in life is gone
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time
Keeps rainin' all the time
I walk around, heavy-hearted and sad
Night comes around, I'm still feelin' bad
Rain pourin' down, blindin' every hope I had
This pitterin', patterin', beatin' and spatterin' drives me mad
Love, love, love, love
This misery is just too much for me
Can't go on
Everything I had is gone
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time
Keeps rainin' all the time



@AmeisterAmerica

Happy early 87th Birthday Captain Turchan aka Grandpa T!

(This song was #1 on your Birthday and regardless of who sung it first, you’re #1 in my book and my favorite grandfather of all-time.)

Seriously, thanks for your sacrifice and I love you beyond words.

Please stay safe and sane and I’ll be seeing/saluting you..🙏✌️❤️😎

Respectfully yours;

-Ainsley Erin Schultz

#AmeisterAmericaINC🇺🇸



All comments from YouTube:

@cookieceo3938

Nobody sings this song like her. Wonderful!!!!!

@paulorobertocunhagomes

Que voz linda! Maravilhosa cantora.

@greeneyesmexico

Who in their right mind could give thumbs down to this amazing rendition? It's probably not my fave...but historic. Thanks for uploading....

@UBetrBringUrsWenUCome2TakeMine

Its no rendition it's the original version of the original lyrics performed by the original performer & it's by far my favorite version & yes it could very well be that a large part of that love is due to it being me hearing words being spoken from a date in 1933 but beyond that it's just perfectly perfect all around!!! Also, anyone who's not been lobotomized and/or didn't accidentally hit the thumbs down button who legitimately chose to vote negatively on this video/song is beyond absolutely absurdly asinine & manically insane!!! HANDS DOWN!!! 💯🤝🫡

@herveamiotphotographyvideo4817

Was driving my campervan back from under the tree to the front of the house after we had a hell of a storm (garage overflowed, living room window blew open...), sun was reappearing. There was some jazz playing low volume on the radio, I turned it up right when she says "rain pouring down" and then came "stormy weather". Truly felt like being in the middle of a movie for a minute. It put a smile on my face, in the stormy life I'm having at the moment. Great song 💜

@jarronmangunsong8469

You can truly hear and feel her emotions in this song. Especially in the end.

@medussa629

The original and so wonderful, I love listening to Ethel Waters!

@garymorris9571

Nine times out of ten, I'll take Ethel's version of anything.

@chocolatesouljah

Same here. Simple.. Stately. Beautifully interpreted.

@UBetrBringUrsWenUCome2TakeMine

I almost agree, but the only thing I'd change is I'd say UNDOUBTEDLY it's a 10/10 for myself personally!!! 💯🤝🫡

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