The Teacher
Paul Simon Lyrics
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Whose words were like tablets of stone
Because it's easier to learn than unlearn
Because we've passed the point of no return
Gather your goods and follow me
Or you will surely die
I was only a child of the city
My parents were children of immigrant stock
So we followed as followers go
Over the mountain with a napkin of snow
And ate the berries and the roots that grow
Along the timberline
Deeper and deeper the dreamer of love
Sleeps on a quilt of stars
It's cold
Sometimes you can't catch your breath
It's cold
Time in abundance thickened his step
So the teacher divided in two
One half ate the forests and the fields
The other half sucked all the moisture from the clouds
And we, we were amazed at the power of his appetite
Deeper and deeper the dreamer of love
Sleeps on a quilt of stars
Sometimes we don't know who we are
Sometimes force overpowers us and we cry
My teacher, carry me home
Carry me home, my teacher
Carry me home
Carry me home, my teacher
Carry me home
Carry me home, my teacher
Carry me home
The lyrics of Paul Simon's song The Teacher tell the story of a renowned teacher who is followed by a group of people, including the singer. The teacher's words are like "tablets of stone," which reflects their authority and suggests that they are immutable. The teacher leads the group over a mountain - a physical and metaphorical journey - and they eat plants that grow "along the timberline," which symbolizes the boundary between the known and unknown.
The second verse tells us about the dreamer of love, who sleeps "on a quilt of stars." This suggests that this person is idealistic and disconnected from reality. The rest of the verse is a reflection on how "force overpowers us," and the singer asks the teacher to "carry me home." It is unclear what "home" means in this context, but it could be a metaphor for a place of safety or belonging.
The song is open to interpretation, but it includes themes of education, authority, and the power of nature. The repeated use of the phrase "Carry me home, my teacher" suggests a deep desire for guidance and security. The intermittent references to nature also suggest that the journey is a spiritual one, as the group travels through physical and metaphorical landscapes.
Line by Line Meaning
There once was a teacher of great renown
In the past, there existed a celebrated teacher.
Whose words were like tablets of stone
The teacher's words were unwavering and unchanging like tablets of stone.
Because it's easier to learn than unlearn
It's simple to acquire new knowledge compared to getting rid of old beliefs.
Because we've passed the point of no return
An irreversible moment has been reached.
Gather your goods and follow me
Collect your belongings and accompany the teacher.
Or you will surely die
If you don't follow, the consequences will be dire.
I was only a child of the city
The singer was a young urban dweller.
My parents were children of immigrant stock
The artist's parents were first-generation immigrants.
So we followed as followers go
They joined the procession like any other follower would.
Over the mountain with a napkin of snow
They crossed the mountain with a cloth made of snow.
And ate the berries and the roots that grow
They consumed the plants that grew along the way.
Along the timberline
Next to the border between two different ecological zones.
Deeper and deeper the dreamer of love
The person fantasizing about love is sinking further and further into their dreams.
Sleeps on a quilt of stars
They're sleeping on a blanket of stars.
It's cold
The weather is chilly.
Sometimes you can't catch your breath
On occasion, one may struggle to breathe.
It's cold
The cold persists.
Time in abundance thickened his step
Having ample time slowed down the teacher's pace.
So the teacher divided in two
The teacher split into two entities.
One half ate the forests and the fields
One half consumed entire ecosystems.
The other half sucked all the moisture from the clouds
The other half extracted all the moisture from the clouds in the sky.
And we, we were amazed at the power of his appetite
The artist and others were astonished by the teacher's insatiable hunger.
Sometimes we don't know who we are
Sometimes, individuals are unsure of their identity.
Sometimes force overpowers us and we cry
Sometimes, force dominates and makes us tear up.
My teacher, carry me home
The singer implores the teacher to transport them home.
Carry me home, my teacher
The singer continues to make the request for transportation.
Carry me home
Once again, the singer asks the teacher to bring them home.
Carry me home, my teacher
The artist reiterates their request for the teacher to carry them home.
Carry me home
The artist repeats the plea for transportation.
Carry me home, my teacher
The singer concludes their entreaty for the teacher to transport them home.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind