Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Silent Echoes of Departure: Billie Holiday's Poignant Farewell
Lyrics
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone
Requesting not to discuss or mention the speaker when they're absent
Honey, though our friendship ceases from now on
Acknowledging the end of the friendship
And if you can't say anything uptight
Asking not to speak negatively or critically
It's better not to talk at all, is my advice
Suggesting silence if unable to say something positive
We're parting, you'll go your way, I'll go mine
Describing the separation of paths between the speaker and the listener
I have just this to do
Expressing the limited action the speaker has
Give a little kiss and hope that it brings
Offering a farewell gesture hoping for love
Lots of love to you
Wishing affection despite the separation
Makes no difference how Jerry carries on (but I'll make it, baby!)
Indicating the speaker's determination to cope despite hardships
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone
Reiterating the request not to gossip about the speaker
Please don't talk about me, honey, when I'm gone
Repeating the plea not to discuss the speaker after they're gone
Though our friendship ceases from now on
Reaffirming the end of the friendship
And if you can't say anything real nice
Requesting only positive remarks or silence
You better not talk at all, is Jerry's advice
Advising against negative talk, suggesting silence instead
We're parting, you'll go your way, I'll go mine
Repeating the description of parting ways
I have just this to do
Stating the limited action or intention of the speaker
Here's a little kiss, I hope it brings
Offering a gesture of farewell and love
Lots and lots of love to you
Expressing continued affection despite separation
Makes no difference how I carry on
Asserting the speaker's ability to cope with their life
Please don't talk about me
Repetition of the plea to refrain from discussing the speaker
Please don't talk about me
-Please don't talk about me
-Please don't talk about me
-Please don't talk about me
-Please don't talk about me, honey
-Please don't talk about me when I'm gone
Final repetition of the request not to gossip about the speaker
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