I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry
Wynonna Lyrics
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He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I'm so lonesome I could cry
I've never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind a cloud
And did you ever see a robin weep?
When leaves begin to die
That means he's lost the will to live
I'm so lonesome I could cry
The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry
And I'm so lonesome I could cry
Wynonna's rendition of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is a powerful interpretation of Hank Williams' classic country ballad. The song delves into themes of heartbreak and loneliness, resonating with listeners who have experienced the pain of lost love. Throughout the song, Wynonna's rich, soulful voice evokes the emotions of the lyrics, creating a powerful and moving piece of music.
The first verse of the song sets the scene with haunting imagery: the sound of a lonesome whippoorwill and the slow, mournful wail of a midnight train. These sounds serve as a metaphor for the singer's emotional state - she is so heartbroken that even the natural world seems to be mourning with her. The image of the moon hiding behind a cloud is similarly evocative, suggesting that even the celestial bodies themselves are affected by the singer's pain.
The second verse adds another layer to the song's emotional depth by introducing the image of a weeping robin. This small bird, which traditionally symbolizes new beginnings and hope, is turned into a symbol of despair and loss when it is seen weeping over dying leaves. This metaphor emphasizes the finality of the singer's loss and the depth of her sorrow.
Overall, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is a heartbreaking yet beautiful song that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
Listen to that lonely bird, the whippoorwill.
He sounds too blue to fly
He sounds so sad that he can't even bring himself to take flight.
The midnight train is whining low
The sound of the train in the distance is a haunting reminder of how alone I am.
I'm so lonesome I could cry
I am in such profound isolation and despair that I could break down in tears.
I've never seen a night so long
The night feels endless and interminable, stretching on into infinity.
When time goes crawling by
The passing of time feels agonizingly slow, as if it's crawling on its belly.
The moon just went behind a cloud
Even the moon, a shining light in the darkness, has abandoned me.
To hide his face and cry
It's as if even the moon is shedding tears of melancholy.
And did you ever see a robin weep?
Have you ever witnessed a small, innocent bird overcome with grief and sadness?
When leaves begin to die
The sight of the natural world decaying and withering is an unbearable reflection of my own emotional state.
That means he's lost the will to live
The robin has lost all motivation to exist in this world without hope or connection.
I'm so lonesome I could cry
The depths of loneliness are so intense that it feels like physical pain.
The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky
The brief, bright flare of light from a shooting star punctuates the dark, lonely night sky.
And as I wonder where you are
As I long for someone, anyone, to share my life with.
I'm so lonesome I could cry
This ache of separation and disconnection is unbearable, and feels like it might swallow me whole.
Writer(s): HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Contributed by Zoe N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.