14. Eleanor Rigby
Aretha Franklin Lyrics


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I'm Eleanor Rigby, I picked up the rice
In the church where the weddin's had been, yeah
I'm Eleanor Rigby, I'm keepin' my face in a jar by the door
You want to know what is it for?

Well, all the lonely people
Where do they all come from? Yeah
All the lonely people, where do they all belong? Now now

Father McKenzie writin' the words to a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him workin', darnin' his socks in the night
What does he care? Yeah

All the lonely people, where do they all come from?
All the lonely people, where do they all belong? Yea!

Um, hum, um, um, um hum, hum, yea! (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
Eleanor, baby, um hum, hum, um (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)

Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
And was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie wipin' the dirt from his hands
As he walked from the grave

Sayin' all the lonely people, where do, where do they come from?
All over the world, the lonely, lonely, lonely, people
Where do, where do they all belong?
Oh lonely, only the lonely know (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
Oo ho lonely, only the lonely people know (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
Just like Eleanor Rigby, yeah, Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
Only the lonely, yeah the lonely yeh




God bless
Yeah gotta love some lonely people

Overall Meaning

In "Eleanor Rigby," Aretha Franklin sings about the titular character and Father McKenzie, both of whom are lonely figures. Eleanor Rigby is the woman who picks up rice in the church after weddings and keeps her face in a jar by the door, while Father McKenzie writes sermons that no one hears and darns his socks in the night. Aretha then asks the famous question, "All the lonely people, where do they all come from? Where do they all belong?" before ending with a repetition of Eleanor's name and the declaration that "only the lonely, yea the lonely, know."


Line by Line Meaning

I'm Eleanor Rigby, I picked up the rice
I am a solitary person who is often tasked with meaningless jobs such as tidying up after events.


In the church where the weddin's had been, yeah
My duties lead me to a church where people have joyful gatherings, but I remain alone and unnoticed.


I'm Eleanor Rigby, I'm keepin' my face in a jar by the door
I preserve my appearance, but what purpose does it serve if no one sees me?


You want to know what is it for?
I question the value of maintaining my looks when I receive no attention or admiration from others.


Well, all the lonely people
There are countless people in the world who feel isolated and disconnected from society.


Where do they all come from? Yeah
It is a mystery where all of these lonely individuals originated from.


Father McKenzie writin' the words to a sermon that no one will hear
The priest is diligently crafting a message to present to the churchgoers, but it seems that his efforts will be in vain due to the lack of attendees.


No one comes near
The people in the community are distant and indifferent to the priest's sermons.


Look at him workin', darnin' his socks in the night
The priest engages in mundane tasks, such as mending his old socks, in solitude during the evening hours.


What does he care? Yeah
He continues with his duties even though he realizes that his efforts and presence are unappreciated.


Um, hum, um, um, um hum, hum, yea! (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
A mournful chant, possibly to honor the memory of Eleanor Rigby.


Eleanor, baby, um hum, hum, um (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
A lament for the lonely Eleanor Rigby, who may have shared a similar fate with many isolated individuals.


Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
The titular character passed away within the same establishment where she performed her thankless job.


And was buried along with her name
Her services were rendered with anonymity, and even her name may have been lost over time.


Nobody came
There was no one present to witness Eleanor Rigby's departure from the world.


Father McKenzie wipin' the dirt from his hands
The priest takes care of the burial arrangements, but there is no one to share in his duties or offer condolences.


As he walked from the grave
The priest leaves the burial site alone, just as Eleanor Rigby lived a solitary life.


All over the world, the lonely, lonely, lonely, people
The situation of being lonely and disconnected is not specific to any one location or group of people.


Where do, where do they all belong?
It is a question that remains unanswered - where do these individuals fit in society or find a sense of belonging?


Oh lonely, only the lonely know (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
Perhaps only those who have experienced feelings of being alone and unconnected can truly understand Eleanor Rigby's plight.


Oo ho lonely, only the lonely people know (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
An extension of the previous statement, emphasizing the shared experience of those who have been marginalized.


Just like Eleanor Rigby, yeah, Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby (Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby)
A repetition of the title character's name, underscoring the universality of her experience and that of many others.


Only the lonely, yeah the lonely yeh
The consequences of being alone can be difficult to bear, both at an individual and societal level.


God bless
A blessing or well-wishing to those who have felt alienated and alone.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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