☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a person who has been abandoned by their loved one.
- The singer wishes they had a nickel for every tear she has shed.
- Although hurt, the singer visits her to wish her happiness and forgiveness.
- The song expresses feelings of pain, loss, and unrequited love.
- The singer is willing to be a good friend regardless and hopes for her happiness.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "I Wish I Had a Nickel" by
Hank Williams tell the story of a person who has been abandoned by their loved one. The person to whom the song is addressed is planning to get married, but their plan to hurt the singer ends up hurting themselves. However, the singer remains a loyal friend and watches them cry alone.
The lines "Tears fallin' down your pretty cheek, Tears you cannot hide and tears you cannot keep" describe the tears that fall on their pretty face and that they cannot hide or hold back. They are tears of sorrow and joy. The singer wishes they had a nickel for every tear they shed last night.
The singer visits them to wish them happiness and forgiveness, even though they know they are intruding on their privacy. They hope that happiness will accompany them in the years to come while they watch them in their bitter tear-shedding situation.
The song lyrics "I Wish I Had a Nickel" express feelings of pain, loss, and unrequited love. They also show the singer's willingness to still be a good friend and hope for the other person's happiness.