Now I Lay Me Down To Weep

Skeeter Davis's song "Now I Lay Me Down To Weep" is a poignant exploration of heartbreak and the emotional turmoil that follows the end of a significant relationship. The lyrics vividly depict the sleepless nights and the overwhelming sadness that consumes the narrator. Instead of finding solace in sleep, the narrator finds herself counting tears, a metaphor for the relentless sorrow that prevents her from resting. The act of saying prayers and turning out the light, typically a prelude to peaceful sleep, becomes a ritual of despair as she lays awake, consumed by her grief.

The repeated plea to the Lord, wishing for death, underscores the depth of her despair. Each morning brings a cruel reminder of her heartache, as she awakens to the sound of her own breaking heart. The inability to dream or sleep symbolizes the loss of hope and the pervasive nature of her sorrow. The mention of dreaming that her lost love would hold her tight highlights the longing and the unfulfilled desires that haunt her.

The song also touches on the painful realization that her former lover is now with someone else. This knowledge exacerbates her suffering, making it impossible for her to find peace. The refrain, "Sleep won't come to cryin' eyes," encapsulates the relentless nature of her grief. The song is a powerful expression of the emotional devastation that follows a breakup, capturing the essence of heartache and the struggle to move on.