Dig if you will the picture
Of you and I engaged in a kiss
The sweat of your body covers me
Can you my darling
Can you picture this?

Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
Animals strike curious poses
They feel the heat
The heat between me and you

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry

Touch if you will my stomach
Feel how it trembles inside
You've got the butterflies all tied up
Don't make me chase you
Even doves have pride

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world so cold? (World so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry

How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold? (A world that's so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding (Maybe, maybe I'm like my father)
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold (Ya know he's too bold)
Maybe you're just like my mother (Maybe you're just like my mother)
She's never satisfied (She's never, never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other (Why do we scream, why)
This is what it sounds like

When doves cry
When doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry)
When doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry)

Don't cry (Don't Cry)

When doves cry
When doves cry
When doves cry

When doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry, doves cry
Don't cry
Darling don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't don't cry



Lyrics submitted by Novartza

Track duration: 05:56

"When Doves Cry" as written by . Prince (us 1)

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


When Doves Cry song meanings
Add your thoughts

21 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment:Well at first glance at the lyrics and when you are kind of just listening to it on the radio or ipod or whatever it seems like things are good at first then are bad. Violets flowers mean in flower language faithfullness but that is only the dream part so maybe they are not faithful to each other. But it makes sense for the feel of purple rain which is about abusing women. It is sort of the abusive "honey moon period" cycle where the male character is saying I can give you all of this hot passion and when we get together it is just going to be crazy hot and passionate. He talks about his partner and he as a sort of Adam and Eve where everyone including animals cans see their animalistic sensual attraction to each other.
    Then it turns kind of cold he you realize the first two stanzas are about a dream sort of world but what is actually there is just two bickering people. he is not really seeing the woman before him he much rather see this sort of dream woman who is constantly waiting for a dream world not the real woman. Perhaps suggesting that man and women not just his parents are always in the same situation men are always too bold and women want more. Also it the male character is very egotistical saying that you know I think you are pretty but I am a dove and I am not going to chase you around-- you need to come to me. The male character in the song seems rather hurt and has too much pride to invest in pursuing this woman he so clearly wants and he actually holds it against the woman. He thinks it sad that it cannot be that way but he does not ever invest in the relationship so how can this situation change.
    Flag freshmegamixon November 28, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:a couple that abuse each other :( but in Romeo&Juliet it was just 2 people in love and the mixed bullshit around them. beautiful song.
    Flag dark_eyez_666on November 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:A classic! It really depicts turmoil and fragile-ness (okay-not a word- but so what)
    Flag mplssoundon June 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I really do like this song. Heard it from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack. Makes me think of two people in a relationship who're going through tough times.
    Flag Sprizeon June 05, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I love this song also.

    From purple rain, as devilchild said, now matter how much he hates it he ends up like his parents, but i think the difference is that prince uses his musical talent and succeeds and is able to change the way of his father who didnt make it.

    I love it because its just got a fantastic meaning to it.
    Flag mikhailvon December 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:He's saying that no matter how much he hates it, he ended up like his parents, in personality and the fact that he hurt the person he loves.

    Purple Rain has hands down the best soundtrack ever.
    Flag devilchild8389on October 30, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:amazing song aside, this reminds me of the Simpsons when Milhouse meets the Shelbyville Milhouse and they lament in the pain of being the only Milhouses, and he goes "So this is what it feels like....when doves cry."
    Flag lisap86on June 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:CAW CAW, CAW
    Flag _ellieon May 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about inheriting the worst qualities of your parents. Prince wanted a song for a particular scene in the movie, and he quickly threw something together. That "throwing together" turned out to be an amazing song.
    Flag jordanson June 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Haha. I heard a cover of this song done by the Barenaked Ladies. It was really good. I haven't heard the original, actually. I also heard it in Romeo and Juliet. That made me laugh a bit. Because the church choir sang it.
    Flag Bravuraon August 12, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain