About the song
**Sundown: A Timeless Ballad of Lost Love**
Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown” is a classic folk song that has captivated audiences for decades. Released in 1974 on his album *Sundown*, the song quickly became a hit, showcasing Lightfoot’s signature blend of poetic lyrics and melodic guitar playing.
At its core, “Sundown” is a poignant ballad about lost love. The song paints a vivid picture of a couple’s deteriorating relationship, culminating in a painful separation. Lightfoot’s lyrics are both evocative and understated, allowing the listener to connect with the emotions on a deeply personal level.
The song’s opening lines, “I’m a sailor, I’ve sailed the seas/From the Arctic to the Southern Seas,” immediately set the stage for a tale of a man who has seen the world but is ultimately searching for something more meaningful. As the song progresses, Lightfoot describes the couple’s drifting apart, using nautical metaphors to symbolize their growing distance.
One of the most striking aspects of “Sundown” is its musical simplicity. Lightfoot’s acoustic guitar playing is both elegant and understated, providing a perfect backdrop for his heartfelt vocals. The song’s arrangement is sparse, allowing the lyrics and melody to take center stage.
The chorus of “Sundown” is particularly memorable, with Lightfoot’s voice filled with a sense of longing and regret. The line “I’ll be sailing on the ocean/Till I’m lost forevermore” is a powerful expression of the narrator’s emotional turmoil.
“Sundown” has been covered by numerous artists over the years, testament to its enduring appeal. The song’s timeless message of lost love and longing has resonated with audiences of all ages, making it a true classic of the folk music genre.
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Lyrics
I can see her lying back in her satin dress
In a room where you do what you don’t confess
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
She’s been looking like a queen in a sailor’s dream
And she don’t always say what she really means
Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feeling better, when I’m feeling no pain
Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feeling better, when I’m feeling no pain
I can picture every move that a man could make
Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it’s a sin
When I feel like I’m winning, when I’m losing again
I can see her looking fast in her faded jeans
She’s a hard-loving woman, got me feeling mean
Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feeling better, when I’m feeling no pain
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it’s a sin
When I feel like I’m winning, when I’m losing again