dear john
Williams Hank Lyrics


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Well when I woke up this mornin'
There was a note upon my door
Said "don't make me no coffee babe
'Cause I won't be back no more"
And that's all she wrote (dear John)
I've sent your saddle home

Now Jonah got along in the belly of the whale
Daniel in the lion's den
But I know a guy that didn't try to get along
And he won't get a chance again
And that's all she wrote (dear John)
I've fetched your saddle home

Now,she didn't forward no address
Nor she didn't say goodbye
All she said was "if you get blue
Just hang your little head and cry"
And that's all she wrote (dear John)
I've sent your saddle home

Now my gal's short and stubby
She's strong as she can be
But if that little old gal of mine
Ever get's ahold of me
That's all she wrote (dear John)
I've sent your saddle home

Now Jonah got along in the belly of the whale
Daniel in the lion's den
But I know a man that didn't try to get along
And he won't get a chance again
And that's all she wrote (dear John)
I've fetched your saddle home

Now I went down to the bank this morning
The cashier said with a grin
"I feel so sorry for you, Hank
But your wife has done been in"




And that's all she wrote (dear John)
I've sent your saddle home

Overall Meaning

The song "Dear John" by Hank Williams tells the story of a man who wakes up to find a note on his door saying that his lover has left him and will not be returning. The note advises him not to make coffee for her anymore as she will not be there to drink it. The phrase "that's all she wrote (dear John)" is used repeatedly throughout the song, signifying that this is the final message he will receive from her. She has also sent his saddle home, indicating that their relationship is over for good.


The lyrics then shift to a reference from the Bible, where Jonah and Daniel were tested and survived while others did not. The singer comments on knowing a man who did not try to get along and will not get another chance. The lyrics suggest that the singer may have known someone who should have tried harder to fix a relationship, but did not. The message here could be to make sure to try before it's too late.


Line by Line Meaning

Well when I woke up this mornin', There was a note upon my door Said "don't make me no coffee babe 'Cause I won't be back no more" And that's all she wrote (dear John) I've sent your saddle home
The singer wakes up to find a breakup note. The note states that their partner will not be returning, and the singer's saddle has been sent home. The relationship has ended.


Now Jonah got along in the belly of the whale Daniel in the lion's den But I know a guy that didn't try to get along And he won't get a chance again And that's all she wrote (dear John) I've fetched your saddle home
The singer references characters from biblical stories who made it through tough situations. However, there was someone who didn't try to make it work, and now there's no chance for him again. The saddle has been returned, and the relationship is over.


Now, she didn't forward no address Nor she didn't say goodbye All she said was "if you get blue Just hang your little head and cry" And that's all she wrote (dear John) I've sent your saddle home
The singer's partner left without providing a forwarding address or saying goodbye. The only words of comfort were to tell the singer to cry if they feel blue. The saddle has been sent home, and the breakup is final.


Now my gal's short and stubby She's strong as she can be But if that little old gal of mine Ever gets ahold of me That's all she wrote (dear John) I've sent your saddle home
The artist describes their partner as short and strong but warns that if she catches him, it's over. The saddle has been returned, and the relationship is done.


Now Jonah got along in the belly of the whale Daniel in the lion's den But I know a man that didn't try to get along And he won't get a chance again And that's all she wrote (dear John) I've fetched your saddle home
The artist repeats the line about biblical characters and the fact that the man who didn't try to work things out won't get another chance. The saddle has been fetched home, and the relationship is over.


Now I went down to the bank this morning The cashier said with a grin "I feel so sorry for you, Hank But your wife has done been in" And that's all she wrote (dear John) I've sent your saddle home
The singer goes to the bank to find out that his partner has already been there, and the cashier sympathizes with him. The saddle has been sent home, and the relationship is over.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AUBREY A. GASS, TEX RITTER

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

rody692

Well when I woke up this mornin',
There was a note upon my door,
Said don't make me no coffee Babe,
'cause I won't be back no more,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've sent your saddle home.

Now Jonah got along in the belly of the whale,
Daniel in the lion's den,
But I know a guy that didn't try to get along,
And he won't get a chance again,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've fetched your saddle home.

Well she didn't forward no address,
Nor she didn't say goodbye,
All she said was if you get blue,
Just hang your little head and cry,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've sent your saddle home.

Now my gal's short and stubby,
She's strong as she can be,
But if that little old gal of mine,
Ever get's a-hold of me,
That's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've sent your saddle home.

Now Jonah got along in the belly of the whale,
Daniel in the lion's den,
But I know a man that didn't try to get along,
And he won't get a chance again,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've fetched your saddle home.

Now I went down to the bank this morning,
The cashier said with a grin,
I feel so sorry for you Hank,
But your wife has done been in,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've sent your saddle home



All comments from YouTube:

Aloise Mason

The legend Hank William's Sr..best country legend in his time..great guitar player and singer..great entertainer ..never forgotten..RIP

Victor Ramos

Happy 100th Birthday Hank🎉. Your beautiful musical legacy brought so much joy.

Chi Chung Wong

Song is remarkable and the lyrics are meaningful. Thanks for uploading.

pikkdogs

Literally woke up to the girlfriend breaking up with me this morning. At least I can relate to old Hank.

Ron Kelley

pikkdogs Im sorry to hear that. I hope until it gets better this music gives you some peace about it

Robert Collette

Then it was ment to be that way

Kevin Scott

my pa kept his saving from being drained by the ex-wife thanks to this song.

Richard Davis

Next time you're in a rocky relationship, make sure you break it off first. It takes some of the sting away

Michael Ozmanski

There's a Hank Williams song for every situation and everybody !!

Lexis S.

Can’t stop tapping my feet
The band was on point love the steel guitar

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