Sailing Down This Golden River
Arlo Guthrie Lyrics


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Words and music by Pete Seeger

Sailng down my golden river
Sun and water all my own
Yet I was never alone

Sun and water, old life givers
L'll have them where ere I roam
And I was not far from home

Sunlight glancing on the water
Life and death are all my own
Yet I was never alone

Life for all my sons and daughters
Golden sparkles in the foam
And I was not far from home

Sailing down this winding highway
Travelers from near and far
And I was never alone

Exploring all the little byways
Sighting all the distant stars
And I was not far from home

Sailing down my golden river
Sun and water all my own
Yet I was never alone

Sun and water, old life givers
L'll have them where ere I roam
And I was not far from home





Yet I was never alone
And I was not far from home

Overall Meaning

"Sailing Down This Golden River" is a song written by Pete Seeger in which an individual is describing the beauty of sailing down a river while basking in the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the water. The song is calming and soothing, with an overall positive message. The lyrics suggest that no matter how far one travels or how much they explore, they will always be close to home and will never truly be alone.


The imagery throughout the song is quite vivid. The use of the sun and the water as life givers reinforces the strong connection between nature and humanity. The lyrics suggest that regardless of how far we travel, there is always a sense of familiarity and comfort in knowing that we are never truly alone in the world. The winding highway and the little byways described in the song evoke feelings of adventure and curiosity.


Overall, "Sailing Down This Golden River" is a song that celebrates the beauty of nature and its ability to provide comfort and solace to individuals no matter where they may be. It speaks to the idea that we are all connected to one another and to the world around us.


Line by Line Meaning

Sailng down my golden river
I am on a boat journeying through my own life, and it feels like a golden, precious experience.


Sun and water all my own
The sun and water are natural elements that I feel personally attached to, as if they're mine alone to enjoy.


Yet I was never alone
Despite engaging in a personal journey, I always felt supported and connected to others, never truly alone.


Sun and water, old life givers
The sun and water are essential, timeless elements of life, providing sustenance and joy in countless ways.


L'll have them where ere I roam
No matter where my journey takes me, I know I can always find and embrace the sun and water's life-giving qualities.


And I was not far from home
Even on my travels, I feel a sense of belonging and connection to my roots, family, and heritage.


Sunlight glancing on the water
The sun's rays dance on the water's surface, creating a beautiful, reflective image that feels alive.


Life and death are all my own
The cycle of life and death is an inherently personal, unique experience that I alone can experience for myself.


Life for all my sons and daughters
Each generation of my offspring will experience their own unique cycle of life and death, a legacy I leave behind.


Golden sparkles in the foam
The foam of the river sparkles, representing the beauty of life's moments and experiences.


Sailing down this winding highway
I continue my journey through life's twisting, unpredictable road, charting my own course with determination.


Travelers from near and far
Others join me on this journey, from different walks of life, but together, we share in the collective human experience.


Exploring all the little byways
I seek out the smaller, hidden paths in life, searching for meaning in the quiet moments and places that others may overlook.


Sighting all the distant stars
I keep my eyes open for new possibilities and horizons, reaching for the stars and what may lie beyond.


Yet I was never alone
Despite traveling through life's unknowns, I always feel a comfort and connection to myself and others.


And I was not far from home
With each step of my journey, I feel closer to where I come from, my roots, and my identity.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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