Who knows how long I've loved you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime
If you want me to, I will

For if I ever saw you
I didn't catch your name
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we're together
Love you when we're apart

And when at last I find you
Your song will fill the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things you do endear you to me
Ah, you know I will
I will

Mmm-mmm
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da


Lyrics submitted by Ice

I Will Lyrics as written by Paul Mccartney John Lennon

Lyrics © Raleigh Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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I Will song meanings
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34 Comments

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  • +3
    My Interpretation

    This beautiful love song captures so many levels of love. Using present tense in the first stanza, we hear the gift of the eternal love (1st line- who knows how long) and enduring love (2nd line still). Then, in seeming contradiction, there is a hint of unrequited love (3rd line - I wait), which resolves triumphantly in committed love (4th line - I will). Using subjunctive mood, the second stanza introduces the possibility that the beloved has already appeared unbeknownst. The third stanza again resolves the ambiguity of the second with a stirring committed, complete love. The last stanza clarifies that the love is not yet known, but confidently asks the beloved to reveal the self (sing your song loud), knowing that the person will be lovable (things you do endear me). This yearning stanza resolves with the commitment that transforms and elevates the promise of commitment from the traditional “I do” to the eternal “I will.” If you are moved by John Lennon’s beautiful words, listen too to Alison Kraus’s interpretation.

    JackStahlon April 12, 2016   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    The song just shows that Paul is a musical instrument from Heaven sent to earth to share Heaven's Beautiful Music.

    movinouton June 26, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I don't think that can be it, because of the second verse, For if I ever saw you I didn’t catch your name. But it never really mattered I will always feel the same. That says that he hasn't met her yet. And the last verse too, And when at last I find you Your song will fill the air Sing it so loud I can hear you I think it might be about looking for love, and imagining the person that you're going to find and fall in love with.

    Tikkaon September 06, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think it's about how you could be walking down the street, and pass the person you are meant to be with and never know it. Only to meet them later possibly, or never meeting them at all.

    Egghead15229on May 30, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this is one of the most beautiful songs ive ever heard...its style is so perfectly simple. i think hes talking about soul mates, someone you know you love, even if you dont even know them yet.

    lily(myoneandonly)on October 08, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    when i was little, my dad and i used to sing this to each other. and the other day i was listening to all my beatles music, and came across this. it made me so happy and i love how the message of the song is clear " i love you." songs like this make me love the beatles even more.

    dab036on May 20, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    My mum used to sing this to me when I was really little. It's funny because I knew the lyrics by heart long before I could speak English.

    restless_heartson May 06, 2008   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I think this song talks about this mans feelings about love towards his girl. I like to interpret the first two lines as the him saying that he has loved her for so long he can’t remember when he started to love her and the second line talks about how he still and forever will love her. I like to interpret lines 5-8 as him saying that if he never got to introduce himself to her that he would still feel the same way as he does now but without her because he believes that she’s the most perfect and beautiful thing he has ever seen and it would be stupid if he did not fall in love. Lines 9-12 talk about how he loves her no matter what the scenario is and how he will always fully love her will all of his heart. Lines 13-19 represent that once they are able to see each other/meet up again, a sense of joy and relief is able to cry out from both of them as they are able to truly connect an bond once again

    AustinStaniseon February 20, 2023   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    paul is probably one of the best love song writers of all time. here hes just talking about how he'll always love Linda.

    Bickleon August 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    one of my fav tracks on the white album

    its one of these songs that reminds me how special my girlfriend is and how lucky i am to have her

    RichardWardon September 18, 2002   Link

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