In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
He said, "I'll love you till I die"
She told him, "You'll forget in time"
As the years went slowly by
She still preyed upon his mind
He kept her picture on his wall
Went half crazy now and then
But he still loved her through it all
Hoping she'd come back again
Kept some letters by his bed
Dated 1962
He had underlined in red
Every single, I love you
I went to see him just today
Oh, but I didn't see no tears
All dressed up to go away
First time I'd seen him smile in years
He stopped loving her today
They placed a wreath upon his door
And soon they'll carry him away
He stopped loving her today
(Ooh)
You know, she came to see him one last time (ooh)
Ah, and we all wondered if she would (ooh)
And it kept runnin' through my mind (ooh)
"This time he's over her for good"
He stopped loving her today
They placed a wreath upon his door
And soon they'll carry him away
He stopped loving her today
She told him, "You'll forget in time"
As the years went slowly by
She still preyed upon his mind
He kept her picture on his wall
Went half crazy now and then
But he still loved her through it all
Hoping she'd come back again
Kept some letters by his bed
Dated 1962
He had underlined in red
Every single, I love you
I went to see him just today
Oh, but I didn't see no tears
All dressed up to go away
First time I'd seen him smile in years
He stopped loving her today
They placed a wreath upon his door
And soon they'll carry him away
He stopped loving her today
(Ooh)
You know, she came to see him one last time (ooh)
Ah, and we all wondered if she would (ooh)
And it kept runnin' through my mind (ooh)
"This time he's over her for good"
He stopped loving her today
They placed a wreath upon his door
And soon they'll carry him away
He stopped loving her today
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My grandfather married my grandmother; he was 23, she was 17. My nana divorced my papa in 1969. He dated around after but no woman was good enough to replace my nana. My nana dated around, married, divorced etc. Now, its 2009, and my grandpa is still alone. He's been alone 40 years, and he still loves my nana. They both still call each other, see each other at family events, ask about one another. My grandfather told me to listen to this song. He says this is how he feels about my nana. He says won't stop loving her until the day he dies, always have, always will. They both like their lifestyles and won't ever get back together but they are distant soulmates. Its a truly sad song.
He stopped loving all of us today... :'(
I can't believe no one has commented on what is often ranked as the #1 country song of all time!
I think this song is about a guy whose wife or girlfriend left him, and he swore he would love her till he died. He kept true to his word, and died. Hense "He stopped loving her today."
Sometimes I wonder if his wife died before him, rather than breaking up with him. But the last verse said she came to his funeral.
RIP George Jones.
This is a song whose meaning has finally hit me. I am as my friend called me, "a life long loving companion". While we shared an intimate relationship at one time, we went our separate ways. But inside we knew our bond would keep us together. We were true soul mates. Words couldn't begin to describe our relationship that lasted over 40 yrs. He was diagnosed with cancer, as I held him in my arms, he gave me one last gift, this song. He asked me to play it for him. He looked up at me, smiled and said to me, "I have finally found peace", he kissed my hand and passed away.
This song is mad i CANNOT believe only one person has said something about this...! yeah i rekon its about a guy loving a girl who didnt stay with him n he promised to love her till he died, wich he did!...tis so sweet :)
probably the saddest song ever written
It's hard to listen to this song today , R.I.P
To be honest, it didn't occur to me that the guy died until about ten years after I first heard the song. I'm not too proud to admit that I thought it was an optimistic song.
ITS AWSOME!!