Stealin'
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics


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Put your arms around me
Like a circle `round the sun
You know I'll love you baby
When my easy ridin's done

[Chorus:]
You don't believe I love you
Look at the fool I've been
You don't believe I'm sinkin'
Look at he hole I'm In
Stealin' stealin'
Prefty mama don't you tell on me
I'm stealin' back to my
Same old used to be

Well I got me a woman
`Bout my size and height
She's a married woman
So you know she treats me right

[Chorus:]

Put your arms around me
Like a circle `round the sun
You know I'll love you baby
When my easy ridin's done

[Chorus:]

Well I got me a woman
`Bout my size and height
She's a married woman
So you know she treats me right
I don't believe I love you




Look at the fool I've been
I don't believe I'm sinkin'

Overall Meaning

The song "Stealin'" is a classic folk song that has been performed by numerous artists, including Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger. The song is about a man who is in love with another man's wife and is trying to steal her away. The first verse talks about the man's love for this woman and how he will hold her close like a circle around the sun. He also states that he will love her until his "easy ridin's done," which could mean until the end of his life or until he has had enough of a carefree lifestyle.


The chorus of the song is a plea to the woman not to tell on him. He is stealing back to his old life and doesn't want anyone to know about what he is doing. The man is aware that he is a fool for loving someone who is already married, but he cannot help how he feels. He also acknowledges that he is sinking deeper into this situation, but again cannot help how he feels.


The second verse repeats the same sentiment as the first, but this time the man specifies that the woman he loves is married. He describes her as being about the same size and height as him and that she treats him right. However, he is still aware that what he is doing is not right and that he is a fool for falling in love with someone who is not available.


Overall, "Stealin'" is a classic love song that illustrates the difficulties and pain of loving someone who is already taken. The man in the song is aware that what he is doing is wrong, but cannot help how he feels. The song is a perfect example of the storytelling and heartfelt emotion that is the hallmark of folk music.


Line by Line Meaning

Put your arms around me
Embrace me tightly


Like a circle `round the sun
Envelop me with your love


You know I'll love you baby
I will always be in love with you


When my easy ridin's done
When my life slows down


[Chorus:]
Recurring refrain


You don't believe I love you
You doubt my love for you


Look at the fool I've been
I've behaved foolishly


You don't believe I'm sinkin'
You don't think I'm in trouble


Look at the hole I'm in
Examine the difficult situation I'm in


Stealin' stealin'
I'm stealing, I'm stealing


Prefty mama don't you tell on me
Beautiful woman, don't reveal my secret


I'm stealin' back to my
I'm going back to my


Same old used to be
Former life


Well I got me a woman
I am in a relationship


`Bout my size and height
Similar in physical attributes


She's a married woman
She is already wed


So you know she treats me right
Indicates the affair is wholesome


I don't believe I love you
I'm unsure if I love you


Look at the fool I've been
I've acted foolishly


I don't believe I'm sinkin'
I don't think I'm in trouble




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PATRICK KEENE, DON PARTRIDGE, . TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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