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The Promise Lyrics

If you wait for me
then I'll come for you
Although I've traveled far
I always hold a place for you in my heart


If you think of me
If you miss me once in awhile
Then I'll return to you
I'll return and fill that space in your heart


Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting


If you dream of me
L like I dream of you
In a place that's warm and dark
In a place where I can feel the beating of your heart


Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting


I've longed for you
A and I have desired
To see your face your smile
To be with you wherever you are


Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
Please say you'll be waiting


Together again
It would feel so good to be
In your arms
Where all my journeys end
If you can make a promise
If it's one that you can keep
I vow to come for you
If you wait for me


And say you'll hold
A place for me
I in your heart.
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50 Meanings

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Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

this song is one of the greatest songs ever and contrary to what some people believe, It is definetely not about a couple or a person going away for a while or a trip or braking up (or any of that romantic stuff) I think it is far more profound, I believe it is about a person loosing a loved one and the faith that in the after life, loved ones are still with us in a way far stronger than anything else

I totally agree with you, at least that's the meaning it has for me. I had this song played at my sister's funeral with a montage of her photos. It makes me feel like she's waiting for me in heaven. It's been 2 years since she died of cancer and I still can't listen to it without breaking down and bawling. But it is probably the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I guess they're right, it is a love song, but a love song that shows that love has no boundaries, even death.

Not Valid

I 'caught' the blues bug before I was a teenager and now I'm an old guy, it's still where I go whenever I need a lift.

Tracy Chapman's is so gifted and her amazing rendition of: 'gimme one reason to stay here' is one of my go to tracks.

I knew this song and never really got it.

In the last 18 months I've had two major surgeries and am now on a palliative Chemo line but I'm just about done.

Although she's well provided for, I'm so scared about how my wife of nearly fifty years will cope as we've...

@depotestad I totally agree. I just lost a dear friend who was like a sister.... and this song definitely makes me think of her. A Kleenex is definitely needed while listening and thinking of your lost loved one!

Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

This is a beautiful song. A song about lovers who are separated because of reasons that shouldn't have been. I think it is about young lovers who are leaving behind their love; vowing to return to each other in the end when their destined journey end. They are young, and each has own journeys to take. So, they must separate to become a person...It is a sacred vow they are going to make to each other. I think they know the pain they will go through when they have to separate. When they will be alone, in separation, when the world will be too much for them, he/she know they will remember their love, their touch, their kiss, their warm embrace...and the he/she will yearn that the other person feels the same way and will also be waiting for them. It is about the promise. The promise they are about to make to each other before they see what the world is. And here, the song also talks about faith…will that person be waiting? Life is a journey where you must make meaning for it by yourself first and see it by yourself. Then when that journey ends whatever it may be...finishing school, soul searching, what ever your journey is...you want to end that quest in the arms of your soul mate, which you were fortunate to find when you were very young.

Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

WARNING! If you are in any situation similar to that in this song, listening to this will put a sword through your heart, it will make you weep like a baby and feel like you simply cannot go another day without seeing your love. >_

Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

I think the first verse is about a journey that two lovers or soulmates have to make trough life apart from each other. Different situations, experiences and life lessons must be experienced in order to grow into the person they are ultimately supposed to be. Even though they won't be together forever in this life, they still have a lot of love for each other and keep a place in their hearts for their loved one or a deep connection in a friendship.

When their paths finally cross again after having worked on their traumas separately, they have learned new life lessons, traveled, met new people, gained experiences and found inner peace within themselves. Will they return to each other, in this life or in any other form. They will find peace, love and tranquility together.

[Edit: Type fould]

My Interpretation
Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

When my mom was pregnant with my brother, she would sing this song and translated it as an unborn child mostly the part about a place thats warm and dark, in a place where i can hear the beating of your heart. And maybe this is a song about a lost child or loved one. I think Tracy lost a baby, she has another song that kind of reflects that.

I was thinking this as well. Reminds me of the song Ballerina by Laeonna Naess. (I don't think I'm spelling her name correctly... but the song breaks my heart in. two.)

Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

Makes me wanna cry, i'm pathetic!

@hottie_eden me too. It doesn't make you pathetic...I don't think. But if not, then I'm pathetic with you (hugs) x

Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

Tracy is easily one of the most talent song writers out there. Or at least that's my humble opinon. She's so underrated, too. It's a shame. This song is so beautiful. I can't count the number of times it's made me cry.

Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

This is one of those songs that can be interpreted a million different ways. It's about a meaningful relationship. Their love runs deep but they're traveling in different directions. It's a song of hope, faith and promise (hence the title). Some day they'll be together again.

If you wait for me then I'll come for you Although I've traveled far I always hold a place for you in my heart

If you think of me If you miss me once in awhile Then I'll return to you I'll return and fill that space in your heart

[The lyrics can be applied to any situation. I believe there is a strong connection between a mother and her child... I used to always think to myself that if I was thinking about my birthmother, maybe she'd sense it and do the same.]

Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

beautiful... nothing more... silly but I'm cryin' at the moment. While listening to this song I was writing some kind of goodbye letter to my best male friend, and I've already finished... we once had somethin' , but now It's not as strong as it was before. Besides I'm leaving to Italy , and know that I'll be missing him. ''Together again It would feel so good to be In your arms Where all my journeys end If you can make a promise If it's one that you can keep I vow to come for you If you wait for me ''

This song has special meaning to me , and even if this post is not especialy regarding my own interpretation of song , I'd like to thank Tracy Chapman for her lyrics, voice and magic spreading from her songs. Thank You . Ps. Sorry for my grammar mistakes. English is'nt my mother tongue

Cover art for The Promise lyrics by Tracy Chapman

this song is pure love. to me, it reminds me of my friend aaron who passed away in december of 2005. he was only 20 years old and he was my best friend. "together again it would feel so good to be in your arms where all my journeys end.." Tracy Chapman is genious.