Meaning of "You Are My Sunshine" by Pete Seeger

"You Are My Sunshine" is a classic song filled with heartfelt emotions of love, longing, and fear of loss. The repetitiveness of the chorus emphasizes the importance of the person being referred to as the sunshine in the speaker's life. The imagery of gray skies symbolizes difficult times, contrasting with the happiness and light that the beloved brings. The dream sequence reflects the speaker's overwhelming desire to hold onto this love, and the sadness upon waking up to reality highlights the fear of losing it. The song's plea to not take away the sunshine underscores the eternal fear of losing someone so cherished. Overall, the lyrics capture the essence of deep, unconditional love and the fear of separation.