The Grass Keeps Right On Growin'
Growth Amidst Heartache: Perry Como's Timeless Reflection
Lyrics
The grass keeps right on growin'
The natural cycle of life continues, symbolized by the grass growing.
the sun goes right on shinin'
Life persists, as indicated by the sun continuing to shine.
there are apples on the apple tree
Observation of the presence of apples on the apple tree, a sign of life and abundance.
ain't life a funny thing, flowers bloom an' birds still sing an'
Life's unpredictability is acknowledged with blooming flowers and singing birds.
everything's the same except for me . . .
Despite the external continuity, the speaker feels a significant personal change.
Everything's the same except for me . . .
Reiteration of the speaker's altered perspective on life due to a personal loss.
because, you're gone . . .
The acknowledgment that someone dear is no longer present.
I tell myself you're really gone
Trying to convince oneself of the reality of the absence of the person.
How can it be, but there it is,
Expressing disbelief at the situation despite its undeniable reality.
I'm alone once again . . .
The speaker grapples with the solitude that has returned.
An' life goes on
Life continues its course even in the absence of a familiar smile.
without your smile I knew so well
Recollection of shared secrets and memories now lost with the absence.
the secrets that we used to tell
Nostalgia for the past when the speaker and the absent person shared intimate details.
yesterday way back when?
Reflecting on a time of happiness and connection in the past.
And . . . the grass keeps right on growin'
Reiteration of the ongoing natural processes despite personal grief.
the sun goes right on shinin'
Emphasizing the persistence of sunlight and blue skies despite personal sorrow.
the skies are blue the way they used to be
Contrasting the unchanging external world with the speaker's internal emotional turmoil.
ain't life a funny thing, kids play tag an' church bells ring an'
Noting ordinary activities like children playing and church bells ringing in the unchanged world.
everything's the same except for me . . .
Repeating the idea that everything seems the same externally, except for the speaker.
Everything's the same except for me . . .
Restating the central theme of personal change due to the absence of a loved one.
'cause, you're not there . . .
Attributing the personal change to the absence of the person.
I look for you but you're not there
Searching for the person but realizing their physical absence.
I hear your voice , it's just a trick
Hearing the person's voice as a mental trick or illusion.
that my mind wants to play . . .
Acknowledging the mind's attempts to cope with the loss through illusions.
How can this world keep turnin' like it used to do?
Questioning how the world can continue unchanged in the absence of the loved one.
There's no more world, there's no more you,
Expressing a feeling of personal devastation, with no world or words left.
no more words left to say . . .
Highlighting the inability to express the depth of the emotional loss.
And . . . the grass keeps right on growin'
Repeating the idea of life's continuity despite personal grief.
the sun goes right on shinin'
Emphasizing the unyielding nature of sunlight and the growth of nature.
there are apples on the apple tree
Noting the presence of apples, a symbol of life, on the apple tree.
ain't life a funny thing, flowers bloom an' birds that sing an'
Reiterating the contrast between external normalcy and internal emotional change.
everything the same except for me . . .
Repeating the idea that everything seems the same externally, except for the speaker.
. . . everything's the same except for me . . .
Reaffirming the central theme that, despite external continuity, the speaker feels personally changed.
Words and Music by Gloria Shayne
Credit to the songwriter, Gloria Shayne.
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