I listen for your footsteps
Coming up the drive
Listen for your footsteps
But they don’t arrive
Waiting for your knock, dear
On my old front door
I don’t hear it
Does it mean you don’t love me any more?
I hear the clock are ticking
On the mantel shelf
See the hands are moving
But I’m by myself
I wonder where you are tonight
And why I’m by myself
I don’t see you
Does it mean you don’t love me any more?
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry, don’t make me blue
Cause you know darling I love only you
You’ll never know it hurt me so
How I hate to see you go
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry
I’m sorry that I doubted you
I was so unfair
You were in a car crash
And you lost your hair
You said that you would be late
About an hour or two
I said that’s alright I’m waiting here
Just waiting to hear from you
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry, don’t make me blue
Cause you know darling I love only you
You’ll never know it hurt me so
How I hate to see you go
Don’t pass me by, don’t make me cry
Loneliness and Longing in “Don’t Pass Me By”
“Don’t Pass Me By” by The Beatles captures the vulnerability and anxiety that comes with waiting for a loved one who might not return. The lyrics are imbued with a sense of anticipation and heartbreak, as the narrator listens for footsteps that never arrive and wonders if the absence means love has faded. The ticking clock amplifies the feeling of isolation, while the refrain pleads for reassurance and connection. The song takes a playful turn with a humorous reference to a car crash, blending melancholy with the Beatles’ signature wit. Overall, it’s a heartfelt exploration of uncertainty and hope in relationships, wrapped in a catchy, country-tinged melody.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr)
- Release Year: 1968
- Label: Apple Records