Dear Darling

Mary Margaret O'Hara's song 'Dear Darling' is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and longing. The lyrics convey a deep sense of yearning and confusion as the narrator grapples with the departure of a loved one. The repeated question, 'Why would you run?' underscores the narrator's bewilderment and pain, seeking answers from the stars above. This celestial imagery suggests a search for higher meaning or divine intervention in understanding the complexities of love and separation.

The phrase 'A thing of such beauty must be called love' highlights the narrator's reverence for the relationship, viewing it as something pure and transcendent. This line is repeated, emphasizing the narrator's belief in the enduring nature of true love. The juxtaposition of beauty and sorrow in the lyrics reflects the duality of love—its capacity to bring immense joy and profound heartache.

The song also delves into the consequences of the loved one's departure. The line 'You've broken two hearts' reveals the mutual pain experienced by both parties, suggesting that the decision to leave was not taken lightly. The narrator's hope that the loved one will eventually realize the depth of their love adds a layer of optimism to the otherwise melancholic tone. This hope is tinged with a sense of inevitability, as if the narrator believes that true love will ultimately prevail and bring the loved one back.

'Why would you run?' is a recurring motif that encapsulates the central theme of the song—an earnest plea for understanding and reconciliation. Mary Margaret O'Hara's emotive delivery and the lyrical depth of 'Dear Darling' make it a touching ode to the enduring power of love, even in the face of separation and heartache.