This song interests me. It is the fourth in my series about the songs that grundoon and I learned growing up.
Grundoon liked it. I think it is creepy, with that juxtaposition of a sweet tune and then words that are not so sweet.
No use cryin'
Talking to a stranger
Namin' the sorrows you've seen
Oh, 'cause there are
Too many bad times
Too many sad times
Nobody knows what you mean
If somehow
You could pack up your sorrows
And give them all to me
You would lose them
I know how to use them
Give them all to me
The line that bothered me was "I know how to use them". What does that mean? Use them for what?
No use ramblin'
Walkin' in the shadows
Trailin' a wanderin' star
No one beside you
No one to hide you
An' nobody knows where you are
Ah, if somehow
You could pack up your sorrows
And give them all to me
You would lose them
I know how to use them
Give them all to me
And how could you give your sorrows to someone else? The singer is offering to listen to sorrows but also take them away. "You would lose them." And then the singer "knows how to use them".
No use roamin'
Walking by the roadside
Seekin' a satisfied mind
Ah, 'cause there are
Too many highways
Too many byways
Nobody's walkin' behind
Ah, if somehow
You could pack up your sorrows
And give them all to me
You would lose them
I know how to use them
Give them all to me
I did not get to ask my sister why she liked the song. Someday maybe... I chose it for her memorial service in my town, since I was too sick to go to the one in California.
You would lose them
I know how to use them
Give them all to me
It is by Pauline Baez.
The version by Richard and Mimi Farina is the one I'm familiar with, so my parents probably had the record: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4LbU8w7Th4.
Joan Baez, Pauline and Mimi Farina were sisters.
Joan Baez recorded it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAMe1bRW8Ao.
So did Peter, Paul and Mary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVxNleqVpx4.
And so did Johnny Cash and June Carter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ctVhDEuTYE
Here is our imperfect recording: http://drkottaway.com/2015/11/03/songs-to-raise-girls-pack-up-your-sorrows/