After You
Beyond Joy: Exploring the Depths of Emotion in 'After You' by Mabel Mercer
Lyrics
Though with joy I should be reeling
Expressing a sense of joy that should accompany a meeting.
That at last you came my way,
Acknowledging the arrival of someone special in their life.
There's no further use concealing
Admitting there's no point in hiding true feelings.
That I'm feeling far from gay,
Despite the joy, feeling far from happy or carefree.
For the rare allure about you
Recognizing a unique and captivating quality in the person.
Makes me all the plainer see
Realizing that the person makes life more transparent or evident.
How inane, how vain, how empty life without you would be.
Reflecting on the hollowness and emptiness life would be without the person.
After you, who
Pondering who could replace the significance of the person.
Could supply my sky of blue?
Questioning who else could bring happiness and brightness like the person.
After you, who
Wondering who could be the next object of affection.
Could I love?
Asking if there could be another love after the present one.
After you, why
Posing a question about the necessity of investing time in another person.
Should I take the time to try,
Questioning the qualifications of others to take the place of the current love.
For who else could qualify
Asserting that no one else meets the criteria after the current love.
After you, who?
Rhetorically asking who could replace the current love.
Hold my hand and swear
Requesting a commitment to continue caring and holding a connection.
You'll never cease to care,
Seeking assurance that the care and connection will persist.
For without you there what could I do?
Highlighting the difficulty of facing life without the person.
I could search years
Contemplating a prolonged search for a comparable connection.
But who else could change my tears
Acknowledging the uniqueness of the person in transforming sorrow into joy.
Into laughter after you?
Emphasizing the irreplaceable role of the person in bringing laughter.
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