Blackbird
♫ The Beatles Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise




You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Overall Meaning

The Beatles' song "Blackbird" is a beautiful, poetic and uplifting song that can be interpreted in many ways. The lyrics seem to address someone or something that has been held back or broken for a long time, and now the time has come to break free and fly. The metaphor of a blackbird singing in the dead of night refers to a new beginning, a time of hope and optimism, even in dark and difficult situations.


There are different interpretations of what the lyrics mean. It has been suggested that the song was a message of encouragement to African-Americans during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. It has also been interpreted as a song about the Vietnam War and a message of hope for soldiers returning home. Some critics believe that the song was written for Paul McCartney's own troubles during the breakup of the Beatles, urging him to "learn to see" and "take these broken wings and learn to fly" as he tries to move on from the past.


Overall, "Blackbird" is a song about freedom and taking the opportunity to pursue one's dreams. The instrumentals in the song are minimalistic, with just McCartney's acoustic guitar accompanying his beautiful voice, which adds to the simplicity and purity of the message.


Line by Line Meaning

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird is singing in the darkness of the night


Take these broken wings and learn to fly
Try to fix the damage done and grow stronger, soar higher


All your life
Throughout your entire existence


You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were eagerly anticipating the arrival of this defining moment


Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird continues to sing in the darkness


Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
Improve your outlook and perspective on life


All your life
Your entire life span


You were only waiting for this moment to be free
You yearned for an opportunity to break away from constraints and be liberated


Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Spread your wings, take flight


Into the light of the dark black night
Navigate through the obscurity towards illumination


Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The blackbird continues to sing amidst darkness


Take these broken wings and learn to fly
Address your emotional wounds and transcend to new heights


All your life
You have been waiting for an opportunity


You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The defining moment has finally come


You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You have been eagerly anticipating this defining moment




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Dorothyann436

Many people don’t know what this song is actually about. He wrote it in dedication to black women in the civil right era. Its such a beautiful and respectful song. He’s truly a national treasure

@LukeSeeleygamertagisV3XChintzy

He stole it*

@casualjoe1264

​@LukeSeeleygamertagisV3XChintzy, what do you mean he stole it? The song was written by Paul and was stuck on the Beatles White Album. He didn't steal a song which he wrote himself

@AngeBiampandou

Yup, It's about the Little Rock Nine in Little Rock, Arkansas

@LukeSeeleygamertagisV3XChintzy

@@casualjoe1264 check out "blackbird singing" by Rosalyn Sweat

@LukeSeeleygamertagisV3XChintzy

Check out the song "Blackbird Singing" by Rosalyn Sweat, it came out a year before the beatles version...

7 More Replies...

@tomleeeeee

Take those broken hands and learn to clap

@proxkei2266

You deserve more likes sir

@almendraxd129

omg 😂😂

@lucianomantovani3567

+tom lee you. you should get more upvotes

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