In Loving Memory of Dolores O’Riordan 6 September 1971 – 15 January 2018
According to SongFacts, Dolores O’Riordan wrote ‘When You’re Gone’ when her grandfather passed away, but over the years playing it on tour it was also significant after the death of her own father and she’d also think of missing her kids when she was away from them. Dolores said “So, when you’re singing a song about loss and then if you’re going through bereavement it can take on a new meaning and you think about what you’re going through at that particular time with that song.”
‘When You’re Gone’ was played at the conclusion of Dolores O’Riordan’s burial service in Ireland on 23 January 2018.
Lyrics
Hold on to love, that is what I do
Now that I’ve found you
And from above, everything’s stinking
They’re not around you
Now that I’ve found you
And from above, everything’s stinking
They’re not around you
And in the night I could be helpless
I could be lonely, sleeping without you
And in the day, everything’s complex
There’s nothing simple when I’m not around you
I could be lonely, sleeping without you
And in the day, everything’s complex
There’s nothing simple when I’m not around you
And I miss you, when you’re gone
That is what I do, bay-, bay-, babe
And it’s going to carry on
That is what I knew, bay-, bay-, baby
That is what I do, bay-, bay-, babe
And it’s going to carry on
That is what I knew, bay-, bay-, baby
Hold on to my hands
I feel I’m sinking, sinking without you
And to my mind, everything’s stinking
Stinking without you
I feel I’m sinking, sinking without you
And to my mind, everything’s stinking
Stinking without you
And in the night I could be helpless
I could be lonely, slipping without you
And in the day, everything’s complex
There’s nothing simple when I’m not around you
I could be lonely, slipping without you
And in the day, everything’s complex
There’s nothing simple when I’m not around you
And I miss you, when you’re gone
That is what I do, bay-, bay-, babe
And it’s going to carry on
That is what I knew, bay-, bay-, baby
That is what I do, bay-, bay-, babe
And it’s going to carry on
That is what I knew, bay-, bay-, baby
Bay-, bay-, baby
Bay-, bay-, babe
Bay-, bay-, babe
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Songwriters: Dolores Mary O’Riordan
When You’re Gone lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group