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The Weeping Song
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Go son, go down to the water
And see the women weeping there
Then go up into the mountains
The men, they are all weeping too

Father, why are all the women weeping?
They are all weeping for their men
Then why are all the men there weeping?
They are weeping back at them

This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While all the men and women sleep
This is a weeping song
But I won't be weeping long

Father, why are all the children weeping?
Oh, they are merely crying son
Oh, are they merely crying, father?
Yes, true weeping is yet to come

This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While all the little children sleep
This is a weeping song
But I won't be weeping long

Oh, father tell me, are you weeping?
Your face it seems wet to touch
Oh, then I'm so sorry, father
I never thought I hurt you so much

This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While we rock ourselves to sleep
This is a weeping song
But I won't be weeping long
No, I won't be weeping long
No, I won't be weeping long
No, I won't be weeping long

Overall Meaning

The Weeping Song by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds is a haunting track that expresses the emotional state of grief and sadness through the father-son conversation. The lyrics depict a father and a son visiting a place where many women and men are found weeping, and the son seeking an explanation for the same from his father. The father explains that the women are weeping for their men, and the men are weeping back at them, creating a cycle of grief. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes that the song is meant for weeping, while everyone else is sleeping, indicating that sadness is a lonely and isolating emotion. The conversation between the father and the son becomes emotional at the end, as the son realizes his own hurtful behavior towards his father and repents for it.


Line by Line Meaning

Go son, go down to the water
Father is telling his son to go down to the water


And see the women weeping there
Father wants his son to see women weeping there


Then go up into the mountains
Father instructs his son to go up into the mountains


The men, they are all weeping too
Men in mountains are also weeping


Father, why are all the women weeping?
Son asks father why women are weeping


They are all weeping for their men
Father explains that women are weeping for their men


Then why are all the men there weeping?
Son asks father why men are also weeping


They are weeping back at them
Father explains that men are weeping in response to women's tears


This is a weeping song
Father declares that this is a song to weep


A song in which to weep
Father emphasizes that this song is for weeping


While all the men and women sleep
Father suggests to weep while everyone else sleeps


But I won't be weeping long
Father assures that he won't weep for long


Father, why are all the children weeping?
Son asks father why children are weeping


Oh, they are merely crying son
Father clarifies that children are just crying, not weeping


Oh, are they merely crying, father?
Son seeks further clarification


Yes, true weeping is yet to come
Father hints that the children will experience real sorrow in the future


Oh, father tell me, are you weeping?
Son asks father if he's also weeping


Your face it seems wet to touch
Father's face looks wet to touch according to the son


Oh, then I'm so sorry, father
Son apologizes for causing pain to his father


I never thought I hurt you so much
Son expresses his regret for hurting his father


While we rock ourselves to sleep
Father suggests to keep weeping until falling asleep


No, I won't be weeping long
Father reaffirms that he won't weep for long


No, I won't be weeping long
Father repeats that he won't weep for long


No, I won't be weeping long
Father asserts that he won't weep for long




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Nicholas Cave

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Andrey_Yankin

THE WEEPING SONG
Go son, go down to the water
And see the women weeping there
Then go up into the mountains
The men, they are weeping too
Father, why are all the women weeping?
They are weeping for their men
Then why are all the men there weeping?
They are weeping back at them
This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While all the men and women sleep
This is a weeping song
But I won’t be weeping long
Father, why are all the children weeping?
They are merely crying son
O, are they merely crying, father?
Yes, true weeping is yet to come
This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While all the little children sleep
This is a weeping song
But I won’t be weeping long
O father, tell me, are you weeping?
Your face seems wet to touch
O then I’m so sorry, father
I never thought I hurt you so much
This is a weeping song
A song in which to weep
While we rock ourselves to sleep
This is a weeping song
But I won’t be weeping long
No, I won’t be weeping long
No, I won’t be weeping long
No, I won’t be weeping long



All comments from YouTube:

@elbarto9633

This is the best lighthouse deleted scene.

@lucabertoni7802

I instantly thought at that movie

@ryanbell6672

applause

@HEAVYDIAPER

xD

@andsreelare4585

This is the best lighthouse comment

@TheCheesybeef

damn ye

24 More Replies...

@olgabartolowicz6048

my father introduced me to Nick Cave's music when I was a kid. He passed away last year after a very difficult fight with acute leukemia. I played this song on his funeral.

@ashleyupshall7641

Nice. Sorry to hear of your loss.

@triphophoney2981

Your father's love for Nick Cave lives on in you. 😊

@burchgraphic662

.... this is a weeping song ..... 💜🌹

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