5 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Blue Umbrella Lyrics
Feelings are strange
especially when they come true
and I had a feeling
you'd be leaving soon
so I tried to rearrange
all my emotions
but it seems the same
no matter what I do.
Chorus:
Blue umbrella
rest upon my shoulder
hide the pain
while the rain
makes up my mind
well, my feet are wet
from thinking this thing over
and it's been so long
since I felt the warm sunshine
just give me one good reason
and I promise I won't ask you any more
just give me one extra season
so I can figure out the other four.
Day time
makes me wonder why you left me
night time
makes me wonder what I said
next time
are the words I'd like to plan on
but, last time
was the only thing you said.
(Chorus)
especially when they come true
and I had a feeling
you'd be leaving soon
so I tried to rearrange
all my emotions
but it seems the same
no matter what I do.
Blue umbrella
rest upon my shoulder
hide the pain
while the rain
makes up my mind
well, my feet are wet
from thinking this thing over
and it's been so long
since I felt the warm sunshine
just give me one good reason
and I promise I won't ask you any more
just give me one extra season
so I can figure out the other four.
makes me wonder why you left me
night time
makes me wonder what I said
next time
are the words I'd like to plan on
but, last time
was the only thing you said.
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Very odd the lack of comments for such a great songwriter and lyricist.
This song is about a break-up. The woman left and he is wondering why. He's dwelling on it and cannot get over it, even though he is trying so hard to. Even though he knew she would leave, it doesn't make anything easier. His head understands and tells him to get over it, but his heart just won't give up.
What a great metaphor with the rain and the blue umbrella, it describes the situation so well, while also expressing the mood. The visual just adds to the understanding.
I agree, wayupnorth. Great imagery in this song, as with most of Prine's work. You can just see the poor guy standing in the rain, feet all wet, just trying to figure out what he's done to deserve it.
I totally agree as with you guys. But, it did take me a while on the site before i got over to John, as much as i love him. I was told by the guy who introduced me to John Prine that he wrote this song when he was a teenager. Was never one of my friend's favorites - can't understand why, because i love this song.
Particularly the concept of asking for an extra season to figure out the other 4, because wouldn't that just give you 3 more months you didn't truly understand either? Love John Prine.
@StickityWicket I had the same question but then thinking to myself, a little deeper, I realized he's asking for an 'extra' season. One extra one. Like a 5th one. Anyway, that's the way I see it. Imagery leaves a lot to interpretation which is why it's so kool. I love 'Far From Me' also. It took me several times listening and reading the lyrics until I finally got it...at least I think I did! :)
@StickityWicket I had the same question but then thinking to myself, a little deeper, I realized he's asking for an 'extra' season. One extra one. Like a 5th one. Anyway, that's the way I see it. Imagery leaves a lot to interpretation which is why it's so kool. I love 'Far From Me' also. It took me several times listening and reading the lyrics until I finally got it...at least I think I did! :)
This is not one of my favorite Prine songs, but I agree there is some great writing here. @Sticketywicket, It's interesting to hear that he wrote this as a teenager because it does feel like it describes the confusion that comes with a breakup early on in life, and it has less of the well-travelled voice of many of Prine's other songs. (There is also an acoustic version that sounds like it was recorded earlier on a bootleg of demos I found floating around the internet)
@souvenirs I read the book 'Prine on Prine'. In it there was a story how a father took his young daughter to a JP concert and she carried a blue umbrella with her because it was her favorite song. He saw it and sang it to her.
@souvenirs I read the book 'Prine on Prine'. In it there was a story how a father took his young daughter to a JP concert and she carried a blue umbrella with her because it was her favorite song. He saw it and sang it to her.
I think "his feet are wet" describes crying and tears. Thus, the blue umbrella would probably describe his mood or depression (feeling blue). This would explain why it (the blue umbrella)is resting on his shoulder and not covering him from the rain.
@moseeonover His imagery is so great it leaves everyone wide open for interpretation. For me, the wet feet symbolized that the umbrella could not keep all the pain away, only some/most of it.
@moseeonover His imagery is so great it leaves everyone wide open for interpretation. For me, the wet feet symbolized that the umbrella could not keep all the pain away, only some/most of it.