If You Go Away

Barbra Streisand's rendition of 'If You Go Away' poignantly captures the essence of longing and the fear of loss in a relationship. The song, originally a French chanson 'Ne me quitte pas' by Jacques Brel, has been translated and covered by many artists, but Streisand's version adds a unique depth and emotional intensity. The lyrics speak directly to a lover, pleading with them not to leave and painting a vivid picture of the emotional landscape that would be left behind.

The song oscillates between the despair of potential departure and the hopeful promises made if the lover decides to stay. When Streisand sings, 'If you go away, on this summer's day, then you might as well take the sun away,' she uses the summer day as a metaphor for the warmth and light that the lover brings into her life, suggesting that their departure would take away all that is bright and joyful. The repeated refrain, 'If you go away,' serves as a haunting reminder of the constant fear of abandonment.

However, the song also touches on resilience and a poignant acceptance of reality. The lines 'Then if you go, I'll understand, Leave me just enough love to hold in my hand' reflect a mature recognition of the lover's autonomy and the singer's preparation for solitude. This bittersweet acceptance is intertwined with a deep-seated hope that is reflected in the promises of creating unparalleled days and nights if the lover chooses to stay. The emotional complexity of the song is further enriched by the inclusion of the original French lyrics, emphasizing themes of forgetting past misunderstandings and the painful times that have marred their happiness.