Ballerina
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on fly awhile
Straight to my arms
Little angel child
You know you only
Lonely twenty-two story block
And if somebody, not just anybody
For instance, me, baby
All you gotta do
Is ring a bell
Step right up, step right up
And step right up
Ballerina
Crowd will catch you
Fly it, sigh it, try it
Well, I may be wrong
But something deep in my heart tells me I'm right and I don't think so
You know I saw the writing on the wall
When you came up to me
Child, you were heading for a fall
But if it gets to you
And you feel like you just can't go on
All you gotta do
Is ring a bell
Step right up, and step right up
And step right up
Just like a ballerina
Stepping lightly
Alright, well it's getting late
Yes it is, yes it is
And this time I forget to slip into your slumber
The light is on the left side of your head
And I'm standing in your doorway
And I'm mumbling and I can't remember the last thing that ran through my head
Here come a man, here come a man and he say, he say the show must go on
So all you gotta do
Is ring the bell
And step right up, and step right up
And step right up
Just like a ballerina, yeah, yeah
Crowd will catch you
Fly it, sigh it, c'mon, die it, yeah
Just like a ballerina
Just like a, just like a, just like a, just like a ballerina
Get on up, get on up, keep a-moving, moving on, moving on, moving on up
Little bit higher, baby
You know, you know, you know, get on up baby
Alright, a-keep on, a-keep on, a-keep on pushing, keep on, keep on pushing
Stepping lightly
Just like a ballerina
Ooo-we baby, take off your shoes
Working on
Just like a ballerina
The song "Ballerina" by Van Morrison tells the story of a woman who is longing for love and connection. The lyrics depict her loneliness and vulnerability, living in a twenty-two story block and feeling like she is the only one who is alone. The singer, possibly Van Morrison himself, expresses his desire to get close to her and be the one to bring her comfort and companionship.
The song uses the imagery of a ballerina to describe the woman's delicate nature and grace. The crowd watching the ballerina represents society and the pressures she may feel to conform and perform. The singer acknowledges that he may be mistaken in his belief that he can be there for her, but his intuition tells him otherwise.
As the song progresses, the singer states that he saw the signs of her impending fall, perhaps suggesting that he understands the difficult circumstances she is facing. He urges her to reach out to him when she feels overwhelmed, emphasizing that all she has to do is "ring a bell." The repeated refrain, "step right up," implies that he is offering himself as a solution to her loneliness and struggles.
The final verses of the song become more disjointed and abstract, reflecting the singer's confused thoughts and emotions. He mentions standing in her doorway and mumbling, unable to remember his own thoughts. The arrival of a man who insists that the show must go on symbolizes the continuous cycle of life and the need to persevere.
Overall, "Ballerina" is a heartfelt plea for connection and understanding in the face of loneliness and despair. It emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help and finding solace in others.
Line by Line Meaning
Spread your wings
Have the courage to take risks and explore new possibilities
Come on fly awhile
Embrace freedom and experience life to the fullest
Straight to my arms
Find comfort and solace in my embrace
Little angel child
You possess innocence and purity
You know you only
You are aware of your uniqueness and singularity
Lonely twenty-two story block
Feeling isolated and trapped in a tall building with many stories
And if somebody, not just anybody
If someone, who truly cares, not just anyone
Wanted to get close to you
Desired to form a deep connection with you
For instance, me, baby
For example, someone like me
All you gotta do
The only thing you need to do
Is ring a bell
Simply call out to me for help or companionship
Step right up, step right up
Approach with confidence and enthusiasm
Ballerina
You move gracefully and delicately through life
Crowd will catch you
People will support and applaud you
Fly it, sigh it, try it
Experiment, express, and embrace new experiences
Well, I may be wrong
I acknowledge the possibility of my mistake
But something deep in my heart tells me I'm right and I don't think so
An intuitive feeling assures me of my correctness and conviction
You know I saw the writing on the wall
I could foresee the signs of trouble or downfall
When you came up to me
When you approached me
Child, you were heading for a fall
You were on a path towards a negative outcome or failure
But if it gets to you
If it overwhelms you
And you feel like you just can't go on
When you feel unable to continue or face the challenges
All you gotta do
Simply call out for help or support
Is ring a bell
Reach out to someone who cares
Just like a ballerina
Navigating life with grace and poise
Stepping lightly
Moving through life with a light spirit and gentle touch
Alright, well it's getting late
Time is passing, and the situation is becoming urgent
Yes it is, yes it is
Indeed, time is moving quickly
And this time I forget to slip into your slumber
I failed to enter your thoughts or dreams in a subtle manner
The light is on the left side of your head
You are focused on logical and analytical thoughts
And I'm standing in your doorway
I am present and waiting for you to invite me in
And I'm mumbling and I can't remember the last thing that ran through my head
I am speaking incoherently, unable to recall my previous thoughts
Here come a man, here come a man and he say, he say the show must go on
Someone arrives and insists that the performance or event must proceed
So all you gotta do
The only action you need to take
Is ring the bell
Simply call out for assistance or intervention
And step right up, and step right up
Approach with confidence and determination
Just like a ballerina, yeah, yeah
Gracefully moving through life's challenges
Crowd will catch you
People will support and uplift you
Fly it, sigh it, c'mon, die it, yeah
Embrace and express your emotions, even if it's difficult
Get on up, get on up, keep a-moving, moving on, moving on, moving on up
Rise and continue progressing in life, constantly moving forward
Little bit higher, baby
Strive to reach greater heights and aspirations
You know, you know, you know, get on up baby
You are aware of the need to rise and advance
Alright, a-keep on, a-keep on, a-keep on pushing, keep on, keep on pushing
Persist and persevere through obstacles and challenges
Stepping lightly
Moving through life with a gentle and carefree attitude
Just like a ballerina
Gracefully navigating life's twists and turns
Ooo-we baby, take off your shoes
Relax and let go of your burdens or worries
Working on
Engaging in self-improvement and personal growth
Just like a ballerina
Moving through life with elegance and poise
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@karenrakes1641
God has blessed this man with a great talent!🤗❤
@rolandbosley1174
Some people go to church....the rest of us listen to this man!
@francescurran3986
I do both😂
@dougtatom
Me to
@petermatthew123
Some of us do both! :)
@sjheiffus
Some do both!
@democracymontano
Amen, allejuyah, Ojallah!!!!
@mikejalak1665
Viewing this took me on a journey from a place of darkness to a place of light; blessings to Mr. Van Morrison- you’ve always had a special place in my soul - mike
@rogerbaggett5207
My bucket list starts with seeing Van and his full band before I move on!
@acudoc1949
Van Morrison doesn't MAKE music...he IS music.