You Are My Sunshine
Love's Bittersweet Journey: You Are My Sunshine by Mose Allison
Lyrics
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
The speaker recalls a recent night when he dreamt of holding someone dear to him while sleeping.
I dreamed I held you in my arms
Continuing from the dream, the speaker describes the intimate act of holding the person in his arms.
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
Upon waking up, the speaker realizes that the comforting dream was not a reality, leading to disappointment.
So I hung my head and I cried.
Expressing sadness and emotional pain, the speaker hangs his head and cries due to the unfulfilled dream.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
Shifting to a different theme, the speaker declares affection by referring to the person as "my sunshine."
You make me happy when skies are gray
The person being addressed is credited with bringing happiness, especially during difficult times ("skies are gray").
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
An expression of deep love, the speaker emphasizes the difficulty of conveying the extent of his feelings.
Please don't take my sunshine away
A plea not to lose the source of happiness, asking the person not to take away the speaker's "sunshine."
I'll always love you and make you happy,
Reiterating love and a commitment to bring joy, emphasizing reciprocity in the relationship.
If you will only say the same.
The speaker desires the person to express mutual love, completing the vow of eternal happiness.
But if you leave me to love another,
A warning that leaving for another love interest will result in regret and sorrow at some point in the future.
You'll regret it all some day,
Emphasizing the potential consequences of choosing another love, implying future remorse.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
Repeating the affectionate term "sunshine," reinforcing the central role of the person in the speaker's happiness.
You make me happy when skies are gray
Reiterating the joy the person brings, even in challenging times ("skies are gray").
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Re-emphasizing the difficulty in expressing the depth of love, urging the person not to take away the speaker's joy.
Please don't take my sunshine away
Repeating the plea not to lose the source of happiness and expressing vulnerability.
You told me once, dear, you really loved me
Recalling a past assurance of exclusive love from the person, with a claim that no one else could interfere.
And no one else could come between.
Highlighting the betrayal by revealing that the person has left and chosen another love interest.
But now you've left me and love another,
Repeating the theme of abandonment, addressing the person's departure and choosing another love.
You have shattered all my dreams,
Underscoring the emotional impact of the person's actions, stating that the departure has shattered all the speaker's dreams.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
Reaffirming the person's role as "sunshine," despite the evident pain caused by their departure.
You make me happy when skies are gray
Restating the person's ability to bring happiness, even in challenging circumstances.
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Reiterating the difficulty in expressing the depth of love and urging the person not to take away the speaker's joy.
Please don't take my sunshine away
A final plea not to lose the source of happiness, emphasizing the emotional importance of the person in the speaker's life.
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