Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Everytime we say goodbye, I die a little,
Everytime we say goodbye, I wonder why a little,
Why the Gods above me, who must be in the know.
Think so little of me, they allow you to go.
When you’re near, there’s such an air of spring about it,
I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it,
There’s no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to
Minor,
Everytime we say goodbye.
When you’re near, there’s such an air of spring about it,
I can hear a lark somewhere, begin to sing about it,
There’s no love song finer, but how strange the change from major to
Minor,
Everytime we say goodbye.
Song Interpretation:
If you have been tasked to plan a memorial program after a direct cremation service, there are many details that you have to consider from funeral flowers to songs. Some planning elements like flowers are quite easy to pick. However, music is an entirely different story. Coming up with the playlist may seem daunting because sound has a significant role in this poignant occasion. Music has the power to set the mood, convey emotions, and offer solace to the grieving family and friends. This is certainly a big responsibility that no one can take lightly.
A unique song recommendation, should you want a soulful funeral song that’s ripe with emotion, is “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”. Ella Fitzgerald performed this, and it is an extremely good song with touching lyrics. This is a classic jazz ditty written and scored by Cole Poter in the early 1940s. This composition is a part of the Great American Songbook, published by Chappell & Company. The book was then introduced by Nan Wynn and Jere McMahon in 1944 in the musical revue of Seven Lively Arts by Billy Rose.
Since then, the song rose into popularity, so by the late 50s and early 60s, it was considered a staple. Some artists have even gone on to replace the apostrophe punctuation in “ev’ry” with an “e”. When you listen to the song, you can’t help but feel swept away by the melody. Although it uses the same notes that goes higher in octave as it repeats the lines, you can’t help but think that the tune touches your heart. Yes, it indeed emphasizes what the opening line says: “Ev’ry time we say goodbye, I die a little.”
Most people identify this as a song about love. It speaks about how happy the singer is each time she is in the company of her beloved. However, she suffers immensely every time they have to separate. However, its words make it perfect for a funeral because this event is indeed your ultimate goodbye to your deceased love one. This service is the last time you can honor and pay tribute to this important person in your life. And the song encapsulates that feeling well because permanent farewells like this hurt more than words can say.
Your loved one passed away, and you too die a little just as the song says. This is a reminder for everyone who is grieving that it is okay to feel this way. The immense sadness is normal. The lines “Ev’ry time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little” also echoes your feelings towards your deceased loved one’s death. Why too soon? Why does this have to happen now? It feels very unfair. Missing this person in your daily routine will indeed feel strange because a major presence in your life is no longer there. The sentiments are echoed in this line of the song “strange the change from major to minor.”
However, despite the song’s overall melancholic theme, “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” reminds everyone there is hope. This is exhibited in the line, “Why the Gods above me, who must be in the know.” Indeed only God knows what will happen to each individual on earth. People can only hold onto hope that death is temporary, and there will be a chance to see each other again. One day, someday everyone will somehow meet those that have gone ahead in heaven. And nothing can be more comforting than this notion.
