All I Could Do Was Cry Lyrics – Etta James
All I Could Do Was Cry Song Lyrics
[Verse 1: Etta Jame]
I heard church bells ringin'
I heard a choir singin'
I saw my love walk down the aisle
On her finger, he placed a ring
[Verse 2: Etta Jame]
Oh, I saw them holding hands
She was standing there with my man
I heard them promise, "'Til death do us part"
Each word was a pain in my heart
[Chorus: Etta Jame]
All I could do, all I could do was cry (Cry, cry, cry)
All I could do was cry (Cry, cry, cry)
I was losing the man that I love
And all I could do was cry (Cry, cry, cry)
[Verse 3: Etta Jame]
And now, the wedding's over
Rice, rice has been thrown over their heads
For them, life has just begun
But mine is ending
[Chorus: Etta Jame]
All, all I could do, all I could do was cry (Cry, cry, cry)
All I could do was cry (Cry, cry, cry)
I was losing the man that I love
And all I could do was cry (Cry, cry, cry)
All I Could Do Was Cry Lyrics Explained
"All I Could Do Was Cry" by Etta James is a poignant song that narrates the emotional turmoil of a woman who witnesses the love of her life marrying someone else. The lyrics capture the heartbreak and devastation experienced by the protagonist as she attends the wedding ceremony, realizing that she has lost the man she loves to another woman. The title, "All I Could Do Was Cry," suggests a sense of powerlessness and overwhelming grief in the face of this painful reality.
[Verse 1]
The song begins with the sound of church bells ringing, setting a solemn tone. The narrator describes hearing a choir singing and witnessing her love walking down the aisle, symbolizing the sacred and joyous occasion of a wedding. However, the happiness is marred by the fact that the man she loves is marrying someone else. The mention of the ring being placed on the bride's finger emphasizes the permanence of the commitment and intensifies the emotional impact on the narrator.
[Verse 2]
The second verse continues to unravel the painful scene. The narrator observes the couple holding hands and standing together, with a sense of helplessness and heartache. The vows, promising "'Til death do us part," serve as a cruel reminder of the irreversible loss the narrator is experiencing. Each word of the vows becomes a source of emotional pain, deeply affecting the narrator's heart.
[Chorus]
The chorus captures the essence of the emotional response to the situation. The repetition of the phrase "All I could do was cry" emphasizes the narrator's overwhelming sorrow and the inability to express the depth of her emotions in any other way. The repetition serves as a powerful and poignant refrain, reinforcing the central theme of heartbreak.
[Verse 3]
In the third verse, the wedding ceremony is over, marked by the throwing of rice. The contrast between the celebratory act of throwing rice and the internal turmoil of the narrator is stark. The symbolism of rice being thrown over the couple's heads signifies the beginning of their shared life, while the narrator's life is portrayed as coming to an end.
This is the end of "All I Could Do Was Cry Song Lyrics" by Etta James. If you discover any mistake in the song text, please send the correct lyrics by using the Contact Us form.
Official Music Video
Cast & Crew
- Album
- Etta James (Singles)
- Artist / Band
- Producer(s)
- Leonard Chess & Phil Chess
- Writter(s)
- Roquel Davis, Berry Gordy & Gwen Gordy Fuqua
- Released On
- November 15, 1960
Etta James (Singles) Songs
- 1.A Sunday Kind of Love
- 2.All I Could Do Was Cry
- 3.At Last
- 4.Damn Your Eyes
- 5.I Just Want to Make Love to You
- 6.I’d Rather Go Blind
- 7.Something’s Got a Hold On Me
- 8.Stormy Weather
- 9.Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
- 10.Tell Mama
- 11.Trust In Me
Etta James Albums
FAQs & Knowledge
Who is the singer of "All I Could Do Was Cry" song?
"All I Could Do Was Cry" song is sung by Etta James.
Who is the lyrics writer of "All I Could Do Was Cry" song?
"All I Could Do Was Cry" song lyrics written by Roquel Davis, Berry Gordy & Gwen Gordy Fuqua.
Who is the music producer of "All I Could Do Was Cry" song?
"All I Could Do Was Cry" song music composed & produced by Leonard Chess & Phil Chess.
When was "All I Could Do Was Cry" song released?
"All I Could Do Was Cry" song was released on November 15, 1960.