Arlo Guthrie is Woody Guthrie's son; Arlo was very popular in 1960's hippie… Read Full Bio ↴Arlo Guthrie is Woody Guthrie's son; Arlo was very popular in 1960's hippie communities for his lyrics, always looking for fun, chronicling the values of the day, sample verbiage "You can get everything you want in Alice's Restaurant" And Alice's Restaurant was also a movie as well as an album, Arlo Guthrie made the music for the film, devised it and featured in it. Woody Guthrie, obviously performing a generation earlier, was a folk-singer, singing solo songs to speak out for his fellow downtrodden Americans, as well as working children's songs, just using acoustic guitar, while Arlo had occasional, collaborating backgound musicians, such was the communal zeitgeist, adding to his sound and his much-acclaimed 1960's public stance.

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Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Spoken: Arlo telling stories about playing with pete seeger and folk songs. Goes for the legnth of the song.)

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I cant help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I cant help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I cant help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I cant help falling in love with you
For I cant help falling in love with you

Overall Meaning

In "Can't Help Falling In Love", Arlo Guthrie delivers an emotional ballad about falling in love despite the wise words of others. The song is a testament to the power of love and how it can sometimes overpower our reasoning and rationale. The opening line, "Wise men say only fools rush in", speaks to a commonly held belief about love - that it is irrational and risky. But Arlo's assertion that "I can't help falling in love with you" suggests that sometimes love simply cannot be contained or reasoned with.

The metaphor used in the song is that of a river flowing to the sea. Just as the river cannot help but flow towards its ultimate destination, some things in life will inevitably happen. The phrase "Some things are meant to be" reinforces this idea that maybe love is one of those things that is simply meant to happen. The chorus, "Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can't help falling in love with you" is a plea to the object of Arlo's affection, asking them to embrace their love and to accept him fully, despite any imperfections or risks that come along with it.

Overall, the song "Can't Help Falling In Love" is a beautiful and timeless love ballad that speaks to the deep emotions and desires that we all feel at some point in our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Wise men say only fools rush in
Smart people indicate that only unwise individuals move too quickly

But I cant help falling in love with you
However, I cannot stop myself from feeling strongly attracted to you

Shall I stay
Should I remain close to you

Would it be a sin
Would it be morally wrong

If I cant help falling in love with you
To have these uncontrollable romantic feelings for you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Just as a waterway moves steadily towards its destination

Darling so it goes
My love for you moves in a similar fashion

Some things are meant to be
Certain relationships are predestined to occur

Take my hand, take my whole life too
Come along with me and be a significant part of my existence

For I cant help falling in love with you
I genuinely cannot resist my fondness for you

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti, George Weiss

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Christopher crispytwo

4y↑13

Audio Tracks:
PCM stereo

Pete Seeger, vocals, banjo, guitar
Arlo Guthrie, vocals, guitar, banjo, piano

Shenandoah:
Steve Ide (guitar, vocals)
Bob Putnam (guitar, vocals)
Dan Velika (bass, vocals)
Terry A La Berry (drums, percussion)
Carole Ide (vocals).

01. Midnight Special (Pete, Arlo and Shenandoah)
02. Pigtown Fling - instrumental (Pete)
03. Get Up & Go (Pete)
04. Where Have All The Flowers Gone (Pete)
05. Sailing Down My Golden River (Arlo and Shenandoah)
06. Little Beggarman (Arlo and Shenandoah)
07. Freight Train (Pete)
08. I'm Gonna Be An Engineer (Pete)
09. Garden Song (Inch By Inch) (Pete)
10. Garbage (Pete)
11. I've Just Seen A Face (Arlo and Shenandoah)
12. Tzena, Tzena (Arlo and Shenandoah)
13. Guabi, Guabi (Arlo and Shenandoah)
14. Way Out There (Pete, Arlo and Shenandoah)
15. City Of New Orleans (Arlo and Shenandoah)
16. If I Had A Hammer (Pete, Arlo and Shenandoah)
17. Lonesome Valley (Pete, Arlo and Shenandoah)
18. Amazing Grace (Pete, Arlo and Shenandoah)
19. This Land Is Your Land (Pete, Arlo and Shenandoah)

notes:
This concert is a rare gem. It may be the ONLY "complete" (or nearly so, a few songs were left out of the PBS broadcast) concert of Pete in his prime (ok, a few years after his prime), and what a great concert it is. While Pete sticks to his familiar repertoire of sing-along standards (I'm Gonna Be An Engineer being the one exception), Arlo is all over the musical map, flatpicking an Irish fiddle tune, a bluegrass flavored Beatles cover, and telling not one but two shaggy dog stories in a row, including the hilarious "origin" of Tzena Tzena (which, of course, Pete and the Weavers made famous in 1950.) The finale of Lonesome Valley and Amazing Grace is...amazing. The symbolic father/son pairing of Pete and Arlo is inspired, and Woody's ghost is clearly present as these two legendary troubadours harmonize together. - https://www.guitars101.com/forums/f146/%5Bdvdfull%5D-pete-seeger-arlo-guthrie-1978-08-23-vienna-va-pro-shot-686271.html

All comments from YouTube:

Ted Miles

2y↑25

I am lucky enough to have heard Pete in many concerts; even attending private concerts at his home. He was something special!

anonymous anonymous

You were blessed, Pete was one in a billion, love him, miss him...Namaste from Canada

Angels on the Mountain

3y↑53

Yup, watching Pete perform makes this sappy old man cry. And damn proud of it! We need Pete back.

mmegraham

2y↑1

He was our mighty banjo warrior!! What a treasure to humanity.

Eric Sprado

2y↑6

We need that era back.

USCJD89

3y↑31

That's 18 year old me at the 23:54 mark. I was enthralled. Thanks whoever posted this video!

sanne

your'e gorgeous!

Fred Richer

1y↑2

I'll bet you're just as beautiful!

All about Cinema

2y↑1

Wow!

bluewaters

1y↑4

Thank you so much for posting this. It takes me back a lot of years! We have such a need for music like this now!

Kim Quinn

3y↑31

Oh my gosh, the year I graduated high school. This was phenom. A few years later Pete Seeger visited and performed at the UMASS Performing Arts Center in Amherst MA. My fiance bought me tickets and I remember being amazed by the diversity of age of those attending. By the unity of the singing along. How it was warm, uplifting and everyone came away feeling they had attended something so fine. Thank you so much for uploading this.

S Dubon

3y↑12

That he taught thousands of folks to play the 5-string banjo is just amazing. That he was instrumental in cleaning up the Hudson River is even more laudable.

Diane Henkel

3y↑11

Pete Seeger was such a great role model and inspiration. He backed workers and not corporations. His concert tickets were not expensive. He would ask fans to bring food that was then donated to a food bank in the city he performed in.

Patszer

5y↑24

I first saw this concert either in 1978 or 1979 on television and I loved it. That was my introduction to Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger. I have been searching for this concert for many years. Thank you so much for posting!

Don vito Corleone

2y↑1

@moonchilddave , this was far out.....thanks

Claudia Kirkpatrick

3y↑2

Yes, thank you very very much for posting this concert -- it was a long time ago that I first saw Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie.

Patszer

5y↑5

I'm so glad you shared it! Thanks again!

moonchilddave

5y↑5

Roman Our story is much the same! This show was my introduction to them as well! I’d been searching for this for ages too!

Laurie S

2y↑3

Saw Arlo in Vermont and will never forget hearing him sing Alice's Restaurant and laughing so hard .. Met Pete also.

Dave Fege

4y↑24

This was a fabulous concert. I was there sitting in the cheap seats on a blanket on the grass. What a wonderful night that was.

David Phillips

3y↑10

I was a volunteer usher at Wolf Trap from 1976-1986. Best job I never got paid for. The highlight of each summer for me was Arlo. About half of the shows had Pete join him. I'm sure I was there this evening. Awesome.

Maggie Mortenson

1y↑2

Love these two guys!

David Bradshaw

4y↑15

Was lucky enough to see Pete & Arlo together in Toronto, I think about 1987 or '88, and what an amazing show. I remember when Arlo was about to do 'Alice's Restaurant', Pete laid down his banjo case and used it as a pillow while he stretched out on the stage to relax and listen. I grew up listening to Pete's music (parents were huge fans), and the two of them together was magical, what an evening!

David Bradshaw

@Lee Rutledge Yep, it was Ontario Place Forum - looks like we were at the same show 🙂

Lee Rutledge

1y↑1

I saw them together at Ontario place, around the same time. Magical

Christopher crispytwo

4y↑13

jc

Thank you!

Bob Wanamaker

2y↑3

A Very Classic Concert, I was lucky enough to see them in Concert Many Times.

Arlene Gage

2y↑4

This is my time, so thankful for this time in my life! Arlo is a couple years my junior. Loved his dad and have followed his career and beautiful family!

calchip

4y↑31

This is the cut-down one. The original airing was live, and they cut a couple of tunes. I remember, as a teenager who lived in the DC area, calling up WETA, the station that aired it, and bitching, and I ended up speaking to the actual guy who edited it. He was really nice, and explained that they had to to cut it down to meet something-or-another that the other stations they distributed to needed. Near as I know, the original never existed outside of the original broadcast.

piekielrl

2y↑2

Yes, they cut Arlo's 15- or 20-minute talk and performance of "Reuben Clamzo" for one...

Carole Just Carole

3y↑1

Good for you making that call, it was brave for a teen.

jc

They really are father and son. Arlo's father got seriously I'll when Arlo was only 6. His father's friends came to the house and became close to Arlo. Pete was one of Arlo's dads.❤

LeslieJ

2y↑2

Thank you for posting the entire concert!

kpokpojiji

1y↑1

So many of these songs are even more relevant today-2023. Cannons hidden in flowers.

Richard Weiland

4y↑36

Still just amazing how a skinny guy with a banjo can put thousands of people right in his pocket in a few seconds with a few words and a few notes.

Zee Hilal

2y↑1

That's the most amazing thing to me. I cannot express their energy is radiant and awesome

Gregory Kopchak

3y↑10

Pete Seeger was my roll model when I was young. A long time ago we went to one of his concerts at Montgomy County Communiey College in Pennsylvania. The Wolf Trap Farm Park concert is my favorte.

Gwyn English Nielsen

2y↑1

Wish I could've witnessed this magic myself. Two very cool dudes in concert!

pantheist46n2

3y↑7

Glad to see people still uploading this kind of old content in the past few years

Michael Stucker

3y↑3

Praise the Universe for Huddie Ledbetter and Alan Lomax! Also Arlo and Pete.

Rick Fry

3y↑4

I have been looking for this for years Thank You, Thank you, Thank you! Peace and blessings to you and everyone you love.

Jenny G.

2y↑1

So fortunate I was able to see Arlo 7x. Two of those with Pete!

G Robinson

2y↑1

So, so great.

Gary Ball

3y↑3

A masterpiece music

Roger Fitzsimmons

4y↑7

OMG was Arlo Guthrie ever this young? Of course, was I ever this young??? Saw them twice, once in about 1975 at DAR Constitution Hall (OMG a Commie plays Constitution Hall?) and the other time at Wolf Trap, although it couldn't have been this concert because I wasn't living in the DC area at the time. I remember Arlo's comic monologue being based around a mysterious sea creature, a clam named Ruben, which morphed into the sea chanty "Ruben Ramso" sung as "Ruben Clamso."

Duncan McEwan

4y↑5

I saw them live at Wolf Trap sometime between September 1980 and September 1983. Highlight of the evening was the 'Internationale'.

MIGRATORY ANIMAL

4y↑13

Best Folk Song Singer who sadly passed away too soon for us all in this world today

Gregory Kopchak

3y↑3

I would like to hear Pete's Take on 2020.

mudpie mudpie

2y↑3

What year was this? I first saw them together in 1975 at Pine Knob Music Theater in MI. It was amazing. I first learned to play the 5-string banjo from Pete Seeger's book. I still have it.

jc

1978

Carole Just Carole

3y↑3

The joke about the Firestone tire blowout was so funny if you ever owned a set of those tires! Over forty years later not many will get it, but great situational humor.

leonard provost

5y↑11

Them were the greatest!

capyboppy

3y↑2

Fantastic concert I watch over and over again. Just one question though: why does it appear that half is is colour and half in black & white? Even back in those days we had consistency.

Daniel Presburger

3y↑2

I'd love to get the full version with better audio. Oh well. have to be happy with what we've got.

Zee Hilal

2y↑4

Arlo Guthrie never lied to us about weapons of mass destruction.

Zee Hilal

2y↑3

Pete Seeger never would have went along with their shit!

Zee Hilal

2y↑1

These people remind me that being an American is awesome and the best thing on earth is to be an American son

nick tighe

1y↑1

its great to see pete before he lost his voice

KRISthePIG

3y↑4

From the Uk, I love the struggle, pain, building and happiness songs you have. What will you sing of now?

Reepacheirp firewalker

5y↑7

I remember a PBS concert where Arlo was singing about Gwabbi Gwabbi with his Firestone 500 running shoes and them blowing out.

calchip

4y↑2

It's this one. Guabi Guabi starts about 40:20.

moonchilddave

5y↑2

Reepacheirp firewalker was it this one? Only other PBS special with him that I know of.

https://youtu.be/jFYWPkOeOE4

Bluezman Zig

4y↑3

FANTASTIC

Oprea Petru

so long well done bravissimo

jc

So sweet

CuriousEarthMan

3y↑1

somewhere I have a complete audio tape of this concert recorded for me by the sound man. that is if the tape cassettes are not corrupted. Was the show one night or three nights? I can't remember. It's two tapes as I recall, a full and a partial. I can't remember if they are 90s or 60s though. thanks for posting! soon I'll watch this all again...maybe Arlo's improve story riffs will be intact on this video.

Mauro Daniel Meza Zamora

4y↑4

Maybe this got edited out because of pledge breaks, and this is another of the Live from Wolf Trap Specials(2 and a half hour broadcasts) part of PBS' August 1978 Pledge Fundraising Campaign, including it aired at that same time on KPBS San Diego and then cut it down in a 90 minute broadcast for future pledge campaigns in the 1980's!

Richard Hamlish

3y↑2

First saw Pete at the gate of horn in chicago in the middle "50. W e met him after the 12:00 a,m, performance abd he gave another few songs.

Jeffrey Osborn

3y↑5

I remember seeing it live and Arlo talking about one song about hunting clams with a Clampoon, not sure if that is in here...

virginia whyte

2y↑1

Used to go with my parents to protests and concerts that actually were protests...pretty different these days.
Like dad said where have all the flowers gone,? Long time ago. When will they learn, where have all the young men gone? Where have all the soldiers gone?

dale-harriet rogovich

2y↑1

There's my friend, Terry a la Berry! I had a delightful correspondence with his mother for quite a while after meeting him here in Madison, WI in 1978. Ah, Shenandoah!

Sharon King

3y↑2

Ditto Kim. At min. 18:00 prepare to see the faces of a lot of happy, satisfied, healthy looking Americans.

Don vito Corleone

Mandatory classes for civility in schools, with this part of the curriculum.

MatteKudasai82

3y↑1

anyone know the name of the song right after sailing on my golden river?

MatteKudasai82

2y↑1

@Drej yes! Thank you!

Drej

3y↑2

The little Beggarman?

Jane Piepes

Olga, Here's The MIDNIGHT SPECIAL ! !

julie clifford

1y↑1

Begging w .. Midnight Special ✨

Hard Luck woman

Sounds like raising arizona

Gary Ball

3y↑3

Arlo you look was young there

Mike Woodruff

Anyone attend Greek in 1988 summertime show?

Gary Ball

We had to take that Geritol for our iron poor blood sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

Mackenzie Dog

3y↑1

The greatest white songsters begin with the song about the underground railroad that freed blacks. Leadbelly sent me this

Thomas Wagner

nice and simple hippie camp fire songs for sure :) but wouldn`t go today.. Nobody would listen to such music I think

Tommy Burton

3y↑2

So much you will never see again om corporate NPR . Lest in offend their corporate masters

nick tighe

i have a great hour long interview with amy goodman

Chaki Shute

Who is Chacki Shyut?

mmlPhil Eckert

Pharrell Williams

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More Versions

CanArlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics

Christopher crispytwo

Ted Miles

anonymous anonymous

Angels on the Mountain

mmegraham

Eric Sprado

USCJD89

sanne

Fred Richer

All about Cinema

bluewaters

Kim Quinn

S Dubon

Diane Henkel

Patszer

Don vito Corleone

Claudia Kirkpatrick

Patszer

moonchilddave

Laurie S

Dave Fege

David Phillips

Maggie Mortenson

David Bradshaw

David Bradshaw

Lee Rutledge

Christopher crispytwo

jc

Bob Wanamaker

Arlene Gage

calchip

piekielrl

Carole Just Carole

jc

LeslieJ

kpokpojiji

Richard Weiland

Zee Hilal

Gregory Kopchak

Gwyn English Nielsen

pantheist46n2

Michael Stucker

Rick Fry

Jenny G.

G Robinson

Gary Ball

Roger Fitzsimmons

Duncan McEwan

MIGRATORY ANIMAL

Gregory Kopchak

mudpie mudpie

jc

Carole Just Carole

leonard provost

capyboppy

Daniel Presburger

Zee Hilal

Zee Hilal

Zee Hilal

nick tighe

KRISthePIG

Reepacheirp firewalker

calchip

moonchilddave

Bluezman Zig

Oprea Petru

jc

CuriousEarthMan

Mauro Daniel Meza Zamora

Richard Hamlish

Jeffrey Osborn

virginia whyte

dale-harriet rogovich

Sharon King

Don vito Corleone

MatteKudasai82

MatteKudasai82

Drej

Jane Piepes

Can
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics