Sunshine on My Shoulders
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Orchestra at Temple Square & Mack Wilberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
If I had a day that I could give you
I'd give to you a day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
If I had a tale that I could tell you
I'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I'd wish for you for sunshine all the while
Sunshine makes me happy
Sunshine can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
Sunshine almost always makes me high
The song "Sunshine on My Shoulders" by John Denver expresses the simple joys of life and the power of nature to lift one's mood. The opening line, "Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy," sets the tone for the rest of the song, which describes the different ways in which sunshine can impact a person's emotions. While sunshine can bring joy and happiness, it can also bring tears when it is too bright or when one is feeling emotional. The imagery of sunshine on the water is particularly beautiful and uplifting. Overall, the song is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of nature and the importance of appreciating the small things that bring joy to our lives.
The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing for simpler times. The lines "If I had a day that I could give you/I'd give to you a day just like today" and "If I had a song that I could sing for you/I'd sing a song to make you feel this way" suggest a desire for connection and a desire to share these feelings of happiness and contentment with others. The final repetition of "Sunshine almost always makes me high" emphasizes the power of nature to elevate our spirits and create a sense of euphoria.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
The warmth of the sun on my shoulders brings me joy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sometimes when the sun is too bright, it brings tears to my eyes
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
The reflection of the sun on the water is a beautiful sight
Sunshine almost always makes me high
The feeling of the sun on my skin is exhilarating
If I had a day that I could give you
If I had the power, I would give you a day as beautiful as this one
I'd give to you a day just like today
I would give you a day filled with warmth and happiness
If I had a song that I could sing for you
If I had the talent, I would sing a song that would evoke this same feeling in you
I'd sing a song to make you feel this way
I would sing a song that would make you feel as happy as the sunshine makes me
If I had a tale that I could tell you
If I had the ability, I would tell you a story that would bring a smile to your face
I'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
I would tell a story that would make you happy and bring joy to your day
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
If I could make one wish for you, it would be for you to experience the happiness that sunshine brings
I'd wish for you for sunshine all the while
I would wish for you to always experience the warmth and joy that sunshine brings
Sunshine makes me happy
The sun's warmth brings me joy
Sunshine can make me cry
Sometimes the sun's brightness can cause me to shed tears
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
The reflection of the sun on the water is a beautiful sight
Sunshine almost always makes me high
The feeling of the sun on my skin is exhilarating
Sunshine almost always makes me high
The feeling of the sun on my skin is exhilarating
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael C. Taylor, John Denver, Richard L. Kniss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hollidayevery
We sang this song way back in 1972 when I was a high school student in COMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, where as a young African American student I learned classics from religions, cultures, and languages that differed from mine.
This song just popped into my head today and I had to hear it. I don't recall is having a background in the Morman faith, but that wouldn't have mattered to our instructor, Mr. R. Laurence Shorer.
He was this geeky, straw haired man that taught me and my classmates SO MUCH MORE THAN SOME US REALIZED.
I absolutely LOVED HIS CLASSES and honor my experience learning such beautiful melodies in a tumultuous time as the 1970s were in Compton, California.
This music and other pieces gave me such solace then, and continue to do so today.
Thank you Mr. Shorer for expanding iur view further, into a bright, beautiful world if music where Wagner and Schumann lived! You were and are my ALL TIME FAVORITE TEACHER 46 YEARS LATER!!
@drdavidlectures5053
1. There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light.
[Chorus]
Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll.
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.
2. There is music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,
And Jesus listening can hear
The songs I cannot sing.
3. There is springtime in my soul today,
For when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flow’rs of grace appear.
4. There is gladness in my soul today,
And hope and praise and love,
For blessings which he gives me now,
For joys “laid up” above.
@marciaburtongordon5028
Because of Jesus Christ, there's always sunshine in my soul.
@k.rlevine2051
Yes!
@siemliengangte3221
When Jesus show his smilling face it will be a great joy for us all.
@shootinghoopswithnoahsmith2426
Amen!
@madisonfacemyer2547
I hope you have a sunshine.
@nanidesuka1591
This is true! Thank you brother!!!
@Carlie_flower
This was the first hymn we sang today at me and my husband's baptism. There truly is sunshine in my soul today 🌞
@k.rlevine2051
What a wonderful way to rejoice in the Lord!
@hollidayevery
We sang this song way back in 1972 when I was a high school student in COMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, where as a young African American student I learned classics from religions, cultures, and languages that differed from mine.
This song just popped into my head today and I had to hear it. I don't recall is having a background in the Morman faith, but that wouldn't have mattered to our instructor, Mr. R. Laurence Shorer.
He was this geeky, straw haired man that taught me and my classmates SO MUCH MORE THAN SOME US REALIZED.
I absolutely LOVED HIS CLASSES and honor my experience learning such beautiful melodies in a tumultuous time as the 1970s were in Compton, California.
This music and other pieces gave me such solace then, and continue to do so today.
Thank you Mr. Shorer for expanding iur view further, into a bright, beautiful world if music where Wagner and Schumann lived! You were and are my ALL TIME FAVORITE TEACHER 46 YEARS LATER!!
@k.rlevine2051
What a wonderful way to commemorate a special teacher!