Lyrics
Shades of night are falling and I'm lonely
Expressing the onset of darkness and the singer's loneliness.
Standing on the corner feeling blue
The singer is on the street corner, feeling sad or depressed.
Sweethearts out for fun
Couples enjoying themselves for leisure and pleasure.
Pass me one by one
People in love passing by, seemingly ignoring the singer.
Guess I'll wind up like I always do
Anticipation of ending up alone, as usual.
With only
Emphasizes the singer's solitary state.
Me and my shadow
The singer and their shadow walking together.
Strolling down the avenue
Describes the location of the walk, possibly a city street.
Me and my shadow
Reiterates the companionship between the singer and their shadow.
Not a soul to tell our troubles to
No one to share their problems or concerns with.
And when it's twelve o'clock
Refers to midnight, a significant time in the lyrics.
We climb the stair
The singer and their shadow ascend a staircase.
We never knock
Highlighting the lack of need to knock on the door.
For nobody's there
Nobody is present at their destination.
Just me and my shadow
Reiteration of the singer being alone and feeling sad.
All alone and feeling blue
Emotional state when isolated from others.
When the sun sets on the far horizon
Setting the scene of the sun setting and lamps illuminating.
And the parlor lamps begin to glow
Continuation of the atmospheric description.
Jim and Jack and John
Names of characters possibly enjoying a comfortable evening.
Put their slippers on
Getting ready to relax while the singer remains active.
They're all set but we'restill on the go
Despite others settling down, the singer is still on the move.
So lonely
Reiteration of the singer's loneliness.
Me and my shadow
The singer and their shadow continue their walk.
Strolling down the avenue
Restating the location of the solitary stroll.
Me and my shadow
Emphasizes the persistent companionship of the singer and their shadow.
Not a soul to tell our troubles to
Repetition of having no one to share their troubles with.
And when it's twelve o'clock
Reference to midnight again, a significant time for the singer.
We climb the stair
The repeated action of climbing the stair without knocking.
We never knock
Emphasizes the lack of response due to the absence of others.
For nobody's there
No need to knock because there is nobody to answer.
Just me and my shadow
Reiterates the singer being alone with their shadow, feeling sad.
All alone and feeling blue.
Final confirmation of the singer's isolated and melancholic state.
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