The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
The lamp is burnin' low upon my table top
The snow is softly falling
The air is still in the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly calling
If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you
The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon each page
The words of love you sent me
If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you
The fire is dying
Now my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are lifting
The morning light steals across my window pane
Where webs of snow are drifting
If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you
And to be once again with you
The snow is softly falling
The air is still in the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly calling
If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you
The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon each page
The words of love you sent me
If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you
The fire is dying
Now my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are lifting
The morning light steals across my window pane
Where webs of snow are drifting
If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you
And to be once again with you
Lyrics submitted by Irishred516
Song For A Winter's Night Lyrics as written by Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is a "love-letter" song. lightfoot describes the secne to his love as he "writes", and speaks of his yearning to be with her. very beautifully done.
Who hasn't been separated from someone they love? By time, or distance, or death, and hasn't wanted them to be close, "to be once again with you." It paints a sad, quiet picture, that is so very perfectly done.
Lightfoot is great at describing moods and situations... I like the lyric "i'd be happy just to hold the hands i love" I think the bells in the song really add to the mood of a snowed in cabin.
About a man who misses his lover and wants to be with her, to hear her breath a sigh or hold to her hands. Such a beautiful love song.
This is probably one of my favorite Gord songs - right up there with Shadows.
This song is so wonderful in it's simplicity. As storysongman put it, who hasn't experience this. In fact, i think it's so universal, i experienced this song, almost in its entirety to the word. Everything from the snow the the lamp to the letters that he's reading. So sad, and so sweet all at the same time.
"If i could know within my heart, that you were lonely too" is perhaps the most heartbreaking line.
My endless thanks to you for this song Mr. Lightfoot.
yeah, what the other guys said