Meaning of "Sorrowful Angels" by Patty Loveless

The song "Sorrowful Angels" delves into the theme of unrequited love and the pain that comes with loving someone who does not feel the same way. The narrator's deep love for this person is evident from the opening lines, where they describe how they loved him most when his eyes were gray. Despite the rejection and heartbreak, the narrator continues to pine for this person, as evidenced by their dreams and memories. However, as time passes, the narrator comes to the realization that this love was perhaps not as genuine as they believed, symbolized by the fading of their hair and the absence of any meaningful bonds. The imagery of sorrowful angels weeping into their wings underscores the depth of the narrator's pain and the sense of loss that lingers. Ultimately, the song reflects on the bittersweet nature of unrequited love, capturing the emotional turmoil and eventual acceptance that can come from such experiences.