You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
The Byrds Lyrics
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Rain won't lift
Gate won't close
Railings froze
Get your mind of wintertime
You ain't goin' nowhere
Whoo-ee ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair
I don't care
How many letters they sent
The morning came and morning went
Pack up your money
And pick up your tent
You ain't goin' nowhere
Whoo-ee ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair
Buy me a flute
And a gun that shoots
Tailgates some substitutes
Strap yourself
To the tree with roots
You ain't goin' nowhere
Whoo-ee ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair
Genghis Khan
He could not keep
All his kings
Supplied with sleep
We'll climb that hill no matter how steep
When we come up to it
Whoo-ee ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair
Whoo-ee ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair
The song "You Ain't Going Nowhere" by the Byrds is about being stuck in one place, in the dead of winter, but imagining that soon things will change for the better. The clouds are moving quickly but the rain is still pouring, the gate won't close and the railings are frozen. The singer wants to get the listener out of their head and to stop thinking about winter. It's like a metaphor for being in a rut or feeling stuck in life, but having hope that things will get better.
The chorus repeats a message of hope: "Tomorrow's the day my bride's gonna come. Oh, oh, are we gonna fly, down in the easy chair." The wedding or the bride could symbolize a better future, a new chapter in life, or just optimism that things will improve. The singer says he doesn't care about the letters or messages he's received, even if it's bad news, because he's ready to pack up and move on.
The verses contain different imagery that evoke a sense of adventure and escape - "buy me a flute, and a gun that shoots," "tailgates some substitutes," and "strap yourself to the tree with roots." These lines can be interpreted as the singer inviting the listener to join him in a journey, a departure from the current winter blues.
Overall, "You Ain't Going Nowhere" is a song about hope, escape, and the idea that things will eventually get better.
Line by Line Meaning
Clouds so swift
The clouds are moving quickly
Rain won't lift
It is still raining
Gate won't close
The gate remain open
Railings froze
The railings are covered in ice
Get your mind of wintertime
Stop thinking about the cold winter
You ain't goin' nowhere
You're not making any progress
Whoo-ee ride me high
Excitement is building up
Tomorrow's the day
Something important is going to happen soon
My bride's gonna come
Someone is eagerly waiting for their partner
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Anticipation and excitement for what's to come
Down in the easy chair
The singer is calm and relaxed
I don't care
The artist is not bothered by something
How many letters they sent
The amount of correspondence doesn't matter
The morning came and morning went
Time is passing by
Pack up your money
Get ready to move
And pick up your tent
Be ready to travel light
You ain't goin' nowhere
You might have to face some obstacles on the way
Buy me a flute
The singer desires something
And a gun that shoots
The singer wants something specific
Tailgates some substitutes
The artist is talking about distractions
Strap yourself
Get ready for action
To the tree with roots
Stay grounded in reality
You ain't goin' nowhere
You need to stay focused on your goals
Genghis Khan
Historical reference to a powerful commander
He could not keep
Even great leaders have limitations
All his kings
Leadership is not always easy
Supplied with sleep
The challenge of keeping everyone satisfied
We'll climb that hill no matter how steep
The future may be difficult, but we'll persevere
When we come up to it
Success is within reach
Whoo-ee ride me high
Enthusiasm for what's ahead
Tomorrow's the day
The promised day is almost here
My bride's gonna come
Something long-awaited is finally happening
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Expectations for a great experience
Down in the easy chair
The artist is feeling comfortable and relaxed
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
Clouds so swift
Rain won't lift
Gate won't close
Railings froze
Get your mind off wintertime
You ain't goin' nowhere
Whoo-ee ride me high
Tomorrow's the day
My bride's gonna come
Oh, oh are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair
I don't care How many letters they send
Morning came and morning went
Pack up your money
Pick up your tent
You ain't goin' nowhere
Buy me a flute
And a gun that shoots
Tailgates and substitutes
Strap yourself To a tree with roots
You ain't goin' nowhere
Now Genghis Kahn
He could not keep
All his kings
Supplied with sleep
We'll climb that hill no matter how steep
When we get up to it
@Sarka-xy9gp
Who's listening to this 2024?
@rickbockman7537
If more people listened this music I'm sure the world would be a little calmer
@williammoore3184
Country rock damn sure didn't start with the Eagles!!! Gram Parsons lives!!!
@sandyjohnson3030
Agreed!!
@rayblanco5204
You got it Brother
@markduncan8988
Yes sir!
@ColtraneTaylor
Gee thanks, Byrds.
@sdovas
Y'all gotta spit on th'floor & step on it when y'say "Th'Eagles," 'specially compared to this record.
@CowboyStag
The best version of this tune. Others fall way short. Including Dylan. In my opinion
@timoflea8417
This thematic album from the Byrds was absolutely the origin of country rock as a genre. Although they were advised not to do it, and warned that it would be a commercial and artistic failure which could derail their success as a folk rock band; nonetheless it was pure inspired musical genius and rose quickly in popularity and airplay and propelled the talented Byrds onward. Gram Parsons, thank you.