Know It All
Wes Montgomery Lyrics


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For all we know
We may never meet again
Before we go
Make this moment live again
We won't say goodbye
Until the last minute
I'll hold out my hand
And my heart will be in it

For all we know
This might only be a dream
We come and we go
Like the ripples, like the ripples in the stream
So baby, love me, love me tonight
Tomorrow was made for some
Oh, but tomorrow
But tomorrow may never, never come
For all we know

Yes, tomorrow may never, never come
For all we know

Overall Meaning

The opening lyrics to Wes Montgomery's song "For All We Know" speak to the fleeting nature of life's moments and relationships. The first two lines set a tone of uncertainty -- "For all we know / We may never meet again" -- a sense that something precious may end abruptly or without warning. But rather than dwell on sorrow or fear of separation, the song's narrator urges a sense of urgency and presence in the moment, a desire to "make this moment live again."


The finality of goodbyes is a recurring theme throughout the song, but the lyrics offer a bit of hope as well. The singer won't say goodbye "until the last minute," and even then, they will hold out a hand and heart in farewell. The second verse broadens the scope to reflect on the passage of time, with a comparison to the ripples in a stream: "We come and we go / Like the ripples, like the ripples in the stream." Here, the emphasis is on the transience of human life, but the song's narrator still urges the listener to embrace the moment and the love that is available "tonight," rather than assume there will always be a "tomorrow."


The song's lyrics offer a gentle, bittersweet reflection on the impermanence of life and relationships, encouraging us to cherish the moments we have together. Montgomery's soulful guitar playing adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the song's message, creating a powerful reminder to live fully in the present.


Line by Line Meaning

For all we know
Considering the limited knowledge we have about the future


We may never meet again
It is plausible that we may not cross paths in the future


Before we go
Prior to our departure or separation


Make this moment live again
Revive this present instant


We won't say goodbye
We will avoid parting words


Until the last minute
Until the very end of our time together


I'll hold out my hand
I will offer assistance or comfort


And my heart will be in it
My emotions will be invested into that gesture


This might only be a dream
It is possible that the current situation is just an illusion


We come and we go
We exist and depart, just like the movement of water ripples


Like the ripples, like the ripples in the stream
Similar to the cyclic motion of disturbances in water


So baby, love me, love me tonight
Show affection towards me during this fleeting moment


Tomorrow was made for some
The future is reserved for certain individuals


Oh, but tomorrow
However, the future


But tomorrow may never, never come
Might not arrive as anticipated, if at all


For all we know
Considering the lack of knowledge we possess about the future




Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J Fred Coots, Samuel M Lewis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@245webster

I had this on the car stereo driving a kid with severe autism..... when it came to the Wes's solo he started smiling and laughing out loud...and said "happy".

@raularturolemusfortanel5783

Después de 40 años la encontré, gracias por compartir, saludos ☺️ From CDMX 😉. !!

@ignaciomoran6706

Great Joao Donato tune!

@phillipliberty3997

Greatest solo ever!!

@phoneyflowers5366

Miss you Wes!!!!

@tuxguys

They snuck it in... Wes actually got to blow on the changes a little on this otherwise (glorious) easy-listening date.
The music of Joao Donato (an egalitarian Brazilian contemporary of Jobim, Bonfa, and Nascimento), arranged by Eumir Deodato about 5 years before he cracked the Top 40 with "2001 Space Odyssey."
Listen to how good the World's Greatest Rhythm Section (Hancock, Carter, and Tate) are on this!

@EasySounds

Quote from allmusic.com's Michael G. Nastos' review: "[...] this is the beginning of the end for Montgomery as a jazz artist, and the inception of bachelor pad lounge/mood music [...]". Yup, when jazz critics get sour, is usually when I know I have hit Easy gold!

@SharonfKC

Any Wes is good Wes.

@EasySounds

Also note the ironic twist that CTI's photographer / cover creator Pete Turner has given this cover photograph as well: because of the reflection, the photo is about anything but "down here on the ground", which cannot be seen.

@DerekMcDouglas

Dish: Sorry for the interruption of service. There is no need to call us.

We are aware that this TV station is temporarily unavailable and we will have this channel back as quickly as possible.

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