I Hope You Dance

Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance

I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone?)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone?)
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
(Where those years have gone?)


Lyrics submitted by Ice

I Hope You Dance Lyrics as written by Mark Sanders Tia Sillers

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

I Hope You Dance song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

59 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment
    when my cosuins graduated from high school 2 years ago, this is what they played. every time i hear it, I can see my cousins and their friends walking up to get their diplomas. It was a kind of stormy night, and just as they kids threw their caps into the air, the first lightning hit. it was amazing, and i cry whenever i hear this song.
    glennsarmychickon April 10, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I love this song. This is actually the first song that I ever danced with the girl that I am head over heels for. This song basically says to stop preparing to live, and just live already! So like if you have the choice whether or not to do something (to sit it out or dance), you should just do the dance. Dance like no one is watching..Thanks. b
    zipped6648on May 22, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This song remindes me of how i had a really really good friend, and then they just blew the friendship off. I still think about that friend till this day:(:( i love u keegan. this was our song:(:( and everythime i hear it i cry.
    the_rose_tremonton May 19, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This song always makes me cry. It always reminds me of my mom because it's her favourite song and she was the one who introduced me to it. There is a lot of optimism in this song.. looking on the bright side of things and preparing yourself for what could happen in the future. It sounds like it's about someone looking out for someone they love and care about. I think my mom was trying to send me a message when she made me listen to this song :)
    xx_sunshineon February 27, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    A couple of years ago at my dance studio the teachers did a dance to this song. It was a nice dacne but it never really hit me until a few months ago. They were doing this dance to this music because it was for all us dancers. When i was watchign it back on video for the 100th time i could no longer hold it in. The best part about that moment was that my favorite dance teacher (who was also in that dance ) was sitting right beside me holding me in her arms. When she song was over she whispered into m ear..."I hope you dance" I just broke down even harder. I want to be a professional dacner after i finish high school and my Sr. year i want to dance to this song. I want to dance it for all my 'baby dancers' i want to dacne it for my also graduating friends and most importantly i want to dance it for all my teachers who danced it for me back then.
    lost_sissy_4lifeon February 20, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I would like to say this song is very inspirational. I think its a song everyone should listen to and one that everyone can be moved by. It has helped me through my bad times.... my best friend leaving me and my boyfriend dumping me the next day. I had such a sad time and I still do but this song makes me feel like having fun instead of being stuck all down in the house crying and pitying myself or sleeping my life through. Whenever I hear this song I feel like dancing at a dance and not caring what others say. " hope you never lose your sense of wonder," dont give up looking for answers keep on questioning "I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean," this one i think means that yes the world is bigger than you and all but dont be so conceited and try to make yourself bigger just let it be "Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens," this one means that she hopes that when one thing ends in your life dont let other things end your life bring something else into your life "Never settle for the path of least resistance" never do something you really don't want to "Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter" dont let someone you love make you unhappy THe whole things mean dont "sit out" on life "dance" to it. Enjoy it, dont become consumed with fear and sadness, or else what's the point. Make your life count and enjoy it as much as you can. Live your life to the fullest!
    lollyzon June 07, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    this song reminds me of my grandma. every letter or birthday card ive ever gotten from her in the last few years since this song has been out, alway has "I hope you dance" written on it. i even got it tattooed on my foot becasue of her.
    sm9977on May 28, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This song reminds me of a really good friend of mine who just died last week. He was like another father to me and i loved him so much. The song reminds me of him because he taught me to live life to the fullest and not to hold back. He loved his life and everyone in it, 42 is a young age to die at but the lord felt that it was his time to go and called his name. Leaving his two year old daugter to grow up without a father, but you can't help a heartattack. Everything happens for a reason and God has better plans for Kipp, and i know that i will see him again one day. I love you kipp and please help me through this rough time, i know that you are ok and are happy but its still hard for me to get over something like that, I miss you and i can't wait to see you again one day. Love always, Becca
    BECCA2010on September 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is very touching, in that it feels like it's from the point of view of an older more mature person, to a beloved someone younger and inexperienced. It speaks of passing down wisdom and giving an account of regret.
    cheson March 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I know I'm the last person who commented on this song but I love it!! I just got back some pictures of that girl i'm head over heels for and me. The pic is from before the banquet that we danced to this song. :-) I hope to have many more memories with her..this song will remain at the top as the first dance and the first time to hold her. :-) Thanks!! b
    zipped6648on June 03, 2002   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!