On this summer day
Then you might as well
Take the sun away
All the birds that flew
In the summer sky
When our love was new
And our hearts were high
And the day was young
And the night was long
And the moon stood still
For the night bird's song
If you go away
But if you stay
I'll make you a day
Like no day has been
Or will be again
We'll sail the sun
We'll ride on the rain
And talk to the trees
And worship the wind
Then if you go
I'll understand
Leave me just enough love
To fill up my hand
If you go away
As I know you will
You must tell the world
To stop turning, turning
'til you return again
If you ever do
For what good is love
Without loving you?
Can I tell you now
As you turn to go
I'll be dying slowly
'til the next hello
But if you stay
I'll make you a night
Like no night has been
Or will be again
I'll sail on your smile
I'll glide on your touch
I'll talk to your eyes
That I love so much
But if you go
I won't cry
Though the good is gone
From the word goodbye
If you go away
As I know you must
There'll be nothing left
In this world to trust
Just an empty room
Full of empty space
Like the empty look
I see on your face
And I'd have been the shadow
Of your shadow
If it might have kept me
By your side


Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery

If You Go Away Lyrics as written by Rod Mckuen Jacques Romain Brel

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

If You Go Away song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

19 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song is really, really beautiful.

    lizkaon June 14, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree.

    atarisemokidon April 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Her voice in this song is amazing...WOW!

    fish eat steelon May 04, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is too beautiful. Remake of Jaques Brel's "Ne me quittes pas".

    viaon September 26, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Ditto to all of the above. This is seriously a perfect song...

    Jillian04on November 15, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    So sad. I first heard it on the Pumpkin movie with Christina Ricci.

    beehauson December 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Pumpkin is the best movie and this song suits it so well! A truely beautiful song that brings a tear to my eye every time i hear it

    Poo_Spoonon June 30, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I found it through Pumpkin too ^_~ Cute movie. I love Emiliana Torrini's voice.

    peethingon September 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    a really painful song. it's so sad, it's almost as if she's crying while singing, atleast that's what it sounds like..

    emreeon September 03, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is like a poem. I first heard it on Pumpkin (which didn't have the "but if you stay..." parts) and it kinda flowed into me.

    Deadinkon December 23, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.