Yentl
Barbra Streisand Lyrics


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Tell me where
Where is it written
What is it I was meant to be?
That I can't dare
It all began the day I found
That from my window I could only see
A piece of sky
I stepped outside and looked around
I never dreamed it was so wide
Or even half as high
The time had come
(Papa, can you hear me?)
To try my wings
(Papa, are you near me?)
And even thought it seemed at any moment I could fall
I felt the most
(Papa, can you see me?)
Amazing things
(Can you understand me?)
The things you can't imagine
If you've never flown at all
Though it's safer to stay on the ground
Sometimes where danger lies
There the sweetest of pleasures are found
No matter where I go
There'll be memories that tug at my sleeve
But there will also be
More to question, yet more to believe
Oh tell me where?

Where is the someone who will turn and look at me?
And want to share
My every sweet-imagined possibility?
The more I live, the more I learn
The more I learn, the more I realize
The less I know
Each step I take
(Papa, I've a voice now!)
Each page I turn
(Papa, I've a choice now!)
Each mile I travel only means
The more I have to go
What's wrong with wanting more?
If you can fly, then soar!
With all there is, why settle for
Just a piece of sky?

Papa, I can hear you
Papa, I can see you




Papa, I can feel you
Papa, watch me fly!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Barbra Streisand's song "Yentl" are a powerful expression of the longing to break free from the expectations imposed by society and discover one's true purpose in life. The opening lines of the song, "Tell me where / Where is it written / What is it I was meant to be?" convey a deep sense of confusion and uncertainty about one's identity and purpose. In the subsequent lines, the singer of the song reflects on the transformative experience of discovering a "piece of sky" outside her window, which inspires her to "step outside and look around" and "try [her] wings". Through this metaphorical flight, she experiences "the most amazing things" and discovers that "there's more to question yet more to believe".


The singer of the song is torn between the safety of staying on the ground and the exhilaration of taking flight, but ultimately decides to pursue her dreams and not settle for "just a piece of sky". She acknowledges that there will be challenges and obstacles along the way, but asserts that "with all there is, why settle for" anything less than what she truly desires. The song ends with a poignant acknowledgment of the singer's father, who has presumably passed away, but whose memory continues to inspire her to "fly" and pursue her dreams. The final lines of the song, "Papa, I can hear you / Papa, I can see you / Papa, I can feel you / Papa, watch me fly!" are a powerful affirmation of the singer's courage and determination, and a tribute to the love and support of her father.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me where
I'm searching for something or someone.


Where is it written
What is the plan for me? Where is it laid out?


What is it I was meant to be?
What is my purpose in life?


That I can't dare
I'm afraid to take risks due to uncertainty or fear of failure.


It all began the day I found
A pivotal moment in my life that started something new.


That from my window I could only see
My vision of the world was limited to what I could see from my current perspective.


A piece of sky
A small glimpse of what was possible.


I stepped outside and looked around
I took a chance and explored beyond my comfort zone.


I never dreamed it was so wide
The world is full of opportunities that I never imagined existed.


Or even half as high
The possibilities are endless and beyond my wildest imagination.


The time had come
I was ready to take the next step and try something new.


(Papa, can you hear me?)
I'm seeking guidance and approval from a father figure in my life.


To try my wings
To spread my proverbial wings and take flight.


(Papa, are you near me?)
I'm seeking reassurance and comfort from a father figure in my life.


And even thought it seemed at any moment I could fall
Although there are risks, I'm willing to take them to pursue my dreams.


I felt the most
I experienced intense emotions that I've never felt before.


(Papa, can you see me?)
I want to be seen and acknowledged by a father figure in my life.


Amazing things
I discovered possibilities beyond my wildest imagination.


(Can you understand me?)
I want to be understood and accepted by a father figure in my life.


The things you can't imagine
There are endless possibilities and opportunities in life.


If you've never flown at all
You have to take risks and try new things to experience life to the fullest.


Though it's safer to stay on the ground
Staying in your comfort zone is safe, but it limits your potential for growth.


Sometimes where danger lies
The most rewarding experiences come with risk factors.


There the sweetest of pleasures are found
The greatest rewards often come with the highest risk.


No matter where I go
I'll always carry my memories and experiences with me.


There'll be memories that tug at my sleeve
Memories and past experiences will always be with me, influencing my decisions and actions.


But there will also be
Along with the memories, there will also be new experiences and lessons to learn.


More to question, yet more to believe
As I continue to learn and grow, there will be more questions to ask and more knowledge to gain.


Oh tell me where?
I'm searching for a sense of direction in life.


Where is the someone who will turn and look at me?
I'm seeking a romantic partner who will see me as a person and share my hopes and dreams.


And want to share
A partnership or companionship centered around mutual interests and desires.


My every sweet-imagined possibility?
Someone who will support and encourage me in our shared goals and aspirations.


The more I live, the more I learn
Life is a constant process of learning and self-discovery.


The more I learn, the more I realize
As I gain knowledge and experiences, my worldview and perceptions change.


The less I know
As my understanding of the world expands, I realize how much I still have to learn.


Each step I take
Every action or decision I make in life.


(Papa, I've a voice now!)
I'm beginning to assert myself and find my own voice in the world.


Each page I turn
Each new chapter of my life or learning experience.


(Papa, I've a choice now!)
I'm starting to take control of my life and make my own decisions.


Each mile I travel only means
Every journey in life comes with new opportunities for growth and learning.


The more I have to go
No matter how much I learn or experience, there is always more to discover and achieve.


What's wrong with wanting more?
There is nothing wrong with aspiring for greater things in life.


If you can fly, then soar!
If you have the ability to reach for your dreams, then take advantage of it and strive for greatness.


With all there is, why settle for
With endless possibilities in life, why would you want to settle for anything less than your dreams?


Just a piece of sky?
Why limit yourself to your current perspective or understanding of the world when there is so much more to experience?


Papa, I can hear you
A sense of connection to a father figure in my life, even if they may not physically be present.


Papa, I can see you
A sense of appreciation and acknowledgement for the influence and presence of a father figure in my life.


Papa, I can feel you
A sense of emotional attachment and love for a father figure in my life.


Papa, watch me fly!
A sense of pride and accomplishment in showing a father figure what they helped inspire and create.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Evajiv

God, our heavenly Father
Oh God, and my father
Who's also in Heaven
May the light
Of this flickering candle
Illuminate the night the way
Your spirit illuminates my soul

Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa, can you find me in the night?

Papa, are you near me?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?

Looking at the skies
I seem to see a million eyes
Which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker
The wind is so much colder
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I'm alone

Papa, please forgive me
Try to understand me
Papa, don't you know I had no choice?

Can you hear me praying
Anything I'm saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?

I remember ev'rything you thought me
Ev'ry book I've ever read
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright

Papa, how I love you
Papa, how I need you
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me goodnight



@annakoppen8127

Lyrics:

God, our heavenly Father
Oh God, and my father
Who's also in Heaven
May the light
Of this flickering candle
Illuminate the night the way
Your spirit illuminates my soul
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa, can you find me in the night?
Papa, are you near me?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?
Looking at the skies
I seem to see a million eyes
Which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker
The wind is so much colder
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I'm alone
Papa, please forgive me
Try to understand me
Papa, don't you know I had no choice?
Can you hear me praying
Anything I'm saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?
I remember ev'rything you thought me
Ev'ry book I've ever read
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright
Papa, how I love you
Papa, how I need you
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me goodnight



All comments from YouTube:

@StaBond

Deadpool is right, "Do you wanna build a snowman" does sound like this

@liecretsev

he's the only one in the world who noticed this XD

@irfanrosidi1005

I agree with deadpool, it's sound like song in frozen :D
and I didn't notice it before saw deadpool 2

@mrmalsto

Wtf holy💩balls

@nicolleinterior8949

Me too

@yairtorres1976

Irfan Rosidi Congratulations Sherlock!

181 More Replies...

@reganbrannigan3006

“I’m here because of Deadpool”

Everyone forgetting when Nelson Muntz absolutely killed it?

@didimoore2565

Regan Brannigan Nelson is such a soft soul

@reganbrannigan3006

Didi Moore He was such a fleshed out character

@WreathStorm

He's why I'm here at least.

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