Way Out There
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics
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Won’t you take me in your arms tonight
And there you are
Looking like the stars are in your eyes
Here we go
You know it’s been so long since we were lovers
I don’t know
If I felt this way since then and baby why
Why we said goodbye
Why we sat and cried
Why we ever let this happen to us
I don’t care
Where you’ve been, I’ve been there too
You know that
You and me
We had some growing on our own to do now
Let’s get on, you know the time’s a-wasting
Morning’s breaking, here we are
Looking like we used to be and baby why
Why we said goodbye
Why we sat and cried
Why we ever let this happen to us
There’s a bird flying high
Way up in the air
And I am sitting here with you at my side
Way out in the country
There’s a lot of real big trees
Rolling gently on the breeze
And I am playing with the bumblebees
Out in the country
Puffy clouds are in the air
If it rains well we won’t care
‘Cause you look good in your underwear
Way out in the country
Here I am
Let me take you in my arms and hold you
Once again
It feels like we are coming home and well
Remember when
We were young and so in love together
Here we are
Happy like we used to be, and baby why
Why we said goodbye
Why we stood and cried
Why we ever let this this happen to us
You know the time is at an end
And you and I can just be friends
And if we let this moment pass
I think we both know it won’t come again
The lyrics of "Way Out There" by Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger convey a sense of longing, nostalgia, and regret for a lost love. The song begins with the singer expressing a desire to be embraced by their former lover, while acknowledging that it has been a long time since they were together. There is a hint of uncertainty in the singer's feelings, as they question if they have ever felt this way since their separation.
The chorus reflects on the pain of their parting, questioning why they said goodbye and why they allowed their relationship to deteriorate. It seems that both parties were devastated by the end of their love affair, perhaps suggesting that the reasons for their breakup were trivial in hindsight.
The second verse reveals a sense of forgiveness and acceptance. The singer no longer cares about the past or where their former lover has been, as they have also experienced growth and change during their time apart. They urge their ex to seize the moment and not waste any more time, emphasizing that the morning is breaking and they resemble their past selves.
The bridge describes a serene and idyllic setting, symbolizing the possibility of a fresh start and a reconciliation. The imagery of a bird flying high and the couple being out in the country evokes a sense of freedom, peace, and natural beauty. The singer highlights the beauty of their surroundings, suggesting that even if it rains, they will not mind as long as they are together.
In the final verse, the singer expresses a desire to hold their ex-lover once again, conveying a sense of coming home and finding comfort in their presence. They reminisce about their youth and the intense love they once shared. The repetition of the question "why" in the chorus and the ending of the song suggests that the singer and their ex-lover realize the irretrievable nature of the past and the importance of not letting this fleeting moment pass them by.
Overall, "Way Out There" explores themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and the yearning for a second chance with a former love.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am
I am present and ready for connection
Won’t you take me in your arms tonight
Will you embrace me and provide comfort tonight
And there you are
You are present and visible
Looking like the stars are in your eyes
Your eyes hold a beautiful and captivating sparkle
Here we go
We are embarking on a new journey
You know it’s been so long since we were lovers
It has been a significant amount of time since we shared a romantic relationship
I don’t know
I am unsure
If I felt this way since then and baby why
If I have experienced these intense emotions since our parting and why
Why we said goodbye
The reason behind our farewell
Why we sat and cried
The reason for our emotional tears
Why we ever let this happen to us
Why we allowed this situation to occur in our lives
I don’t care
I have no concern
Where you’ve been, I’ve been there too
I have also experienced the places you have been
You know that
You are aware of this fact
You and me
We, as individuals
We had some growing on our own to do now
We needed personal growth and development individually
Let’s get on, you know the time’s a-wasting
Let's move forward, recognizing that time is passing quickly
Morning’s breaking, here we are
The dawn is arriving, and we are present
Looking like we used to be and baby why
Resembling the version of ourselves from the past and why
There’s a bird flying high
A bird is soaring through the sky
Way up in the air
Up in the elevated space
And I am sitting here with you at my side
I am seated next to you in this place
Way out in the country
Far away in a rural area
There’s a lot of real big trees
Numerous substantial trees can be found
Rolling gently on the breeze
Swaying softly in the wind
And I am playing with the bumblebees
I am engaged in playful interaction with bumblebees
Out in the country
In the rural countryside
Puffy clouds are in the air
Fluffy clouds are present in the atmosphere
If it rains well we won’t care
If it starts to rain, we will not be bothered
‘Cause you look good in your underwear
Because you appear attractive even in undergarments
Way out in the country
Far away in a rural area
Let me take you in my arms and hold you
Allow me to embrace and provide comfort to you
Once again
One more time
It feels like we are coming home and well
It gives the sensation of returning to a familiar place
Remember when
Recall the time when
We were young and so in love together
We were youthful and deeply in love with each other
Happy like we used to be, and baby why
Equally content as we were in the past, and why
Why we stood and cried
The reason for our standing and shedding tears
You know the time is at an end
We are aware that the duration has reached its conclusion
And you and I can just be friends
We can now maintain a platonic friendship
And if we let this moment pass
If we allow this opportunity to slip away
I think we both know it won’t come again
We both understand that it will not be repeated
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Arlo Guthrie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Caleb Clunie
"Way Out There" Lyrics:
A lonely spot I know, where no man will go, where the shadows have all the room,
I was riding free on the old S.P., humming a southern tune,
when a man come along, made me hush my song, kicked me off, a-way out there.
Eee eea didi oee oeeoo Eee ee eea didi oee oeeoo
As she pulled out of sight, I turned to the right, the left, and everywhere,
but all I could see was the cactus tree, and the prairie dog playing there.
I watched them prairie dogs knead on the tumbleweeds as his horse, way out there.
When I set down my load in the desert road, rested my weary legs.
Then I watched the setting sun make the tall shadows run, out across the barren plain.
Then I hummed a tune to the rising moon. She gets lonesome, way out there.
Eee eea didi oee oeeoo Eee ee eea didi oee oeeoo
Then I closed my eyes to the starlit sky, lost myself in dreams.
I dreamed the desert sand was a milk and honey land, then I awoke with a start.
There was a train comin' back, on that one way track, gonna carry me away from here.
Eee eea didi oee oeeoo Eee ee eea didi oee oeeoo
As she passed me by, I caught her on the fly, climbed in an open door.
Then I looked around, saw the desert ground, the spot I would see no more.
As I was riding away, heard that pale moon say, "So long, pal. Sure gets lonesome here".
Eee eea didi oee oeeoo Eee ee eea didi oee oeeoo
Eee eea didi oee oeeoo Eee ee eea didi oee oeeoo
sidDkid87
This is my fave tune that Pete performs - Hope he's RIP "Way Out There"
Jurgen Kerber
I'm steel feelin' it!
Ben Smith
That two-part harmony bit makes me feel like I'm floating on a magic carpet. Beautiful.
Len Harp
This performance brings me true joy. Never heard it by anyone except Sons of the Pioneers. Beautifully done. Thanks for sharing.
Loretta Murphy
A match made in musical heaven...
MR memelord
rip pete his music help me through many hard times
Doug Hendrixson
Great version of this Sons of the Pioneers classic! RIP Pete and RIP Bob Nolan of the original Sons of the Pioneers-- the songwriter.
Joe Hoynik
love this song! I first heard it in "Raising arizona " and fell in love with it
John R
I saw Arlo a few years ago. He is a 'very' talented musician on both guitar and piano.
athanasius58
Great to hear this great tune! My sister lived out in Denver in the early 70's and saw Seeger and Arlo at Red Rocks--to this day she says it was the best damned concert she ever went to. Thanks for putting this video online!