The Long and Winding Road
Beatles - Peter Breiner and his Chamber Orchestra Lyrics


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The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to you door

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here?
Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone
And many times I've cried
Anyway, you'll never know
The many ways I've tried

And still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long, long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long, long time ago
Don't keep me waiting here
Lead me to your door





Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

"The Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles is a poignant ballad that explores the journey towards finding love and the longing for someone who has left. The first verse sets the scene of the singer's continuous journey towards the person they desire. The road symbolizes the path they have taken in search of love, highlighting its persistence and how it always leads them back to the person's door.


The second verse introduces a wild and windy night, representing the tumultuous times the singer has experienced. The rain that washes away this night symbolizes cleansing and renewal, but it also leaves behind a pool of tears. These tears signify the emotional pain and longing the singer feels, crying for the day when their love will be fulfilled. They question why they are left standing alone and plead for guidance, wanting to know the way towards their beloved.


The bridge expresses the loneliness and heartache the singer has endured. They have been alone and cried many times, but their efforts to find love and express their emotions have often gone unnoticed or unacknowledged. The line "anyway, you'll never know the many ways I've tried" suggests frustration, as the singer feels their efforts have gone in vain.


The chorus is a repetition of the first verse, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the singer's journey. They are consistently brought back to the long and winding road, which represents their unending pursuit of the person who left them a long time ago. The plea to not keep them waiting and to lead them to the person's door showcases their longing and impatience.


The final repetition of the chorus, with the iconic "yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," adds an emotional intensity and urgency to the lyrics. It conveys the singer's desperation for their love to be fulfilled and their hope to finally be led to the person's door.


Overall, "The Long and Winding Road" explores themes of longing, persistence, and the rollercoaster of emotions that come with searching for love. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who has been on a prolonged journey, facing hardships and shedding tears along the way, all while never giving up hope that they will find their way back to the one they desire.


Line by Line Meaning

The long and winding road
The path that stretches on, full of twists and turns


That leads to your door
That guides me towards your embrace


Will never disappear
Will always remain present


I've seen that road before
I've traversed this journey previously


It always leads me here
It consistently brings me to this point


Lead me to your door
Guide me to the place where I can find solace and love


The wild and windy night
The tempestuous and turbulent evening


That the rain washed away
That the downpour cleansed


Has left a pool of tears
Resulted in a reservoir of sorrow


Crying for the day
Longing for a brighter tomorrow


Why leave me standing here?
Why abandon me in this vulnerable state?


Let me know the way
Provide me with guidance and direction


Many times I've been alone
Numerous occasions of solitude


And many times I've cried
And shed countless tears


Anyway, you'll never know
Nevertheless, you'll never comprehend


The many ways I've tried
The countless attempts I've made


And still they lead me back
Despite everything, they bring me back


To the long winding road
To the never-ending, twisting path


You left me standing here
You abandoned me in this place


A long, long time ago
Many years in the distant past


Don't leave me waiting here
Do not make me linger in anticipation


Lead me to your door
Guide me to the place where I can find solace and love


But still they lead me back
Yet, they continue to bring me back


Don't keep me waiting here
Do not make me endure this prolonged wait


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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