My Beautiful Reward
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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Well I sought gold and diamond rings
My own drug to ease the pain that living brings
Walked from the mountain to the valley floor
Searching for my beautiful reward
Searching for my beautiful reward

From a house on a hill a sacred light shines
I walk through these rooms but none of them are mine
Down empty hallways I went from door to door
Searching for my beautiful reward
Searching for my beautiful reward

Well your hair shone in the sun
I was so high I was the lucky one
Then I came crashing down like a drunk on a barroom floor
Searching for my beautiful reward
Searching for my beautiful reward

Tonight I can feel the cold wind at my back
I'm flyin' high over gray fields my feathers long and black
Down along the river's silent edge I soar




Searching for my beautiful reward
Searching for my beautiful reward

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "My Beautiful Reward" by Bruce Springsteen depict a journey of self-discovery and redemption. The song paints a bleak picture of the struggles and pains of living, but also shows hope and the possibility of finding beauty amid the hardship. The singer begins by expressing his desire for material riches such as gold and diamond rings, which he considers his own drug to numb the pain of life. He then embarks on a search for his beautiful reward, which seems to be an elusive, intangible ideal that he hopes will bring him happiness and fulfillment.


As the song progresses, the singer describes his search for his reward through a series of empty rooms and hallways, suggesting a feeling of loneliness and uncertainty. He recalls a moment of happiness and wonderment when he saw his lover's hair shining in the sun. However, that moment of bliss doesn't last, and he crashes down like a drunk on a barroom floor, perhaps symbolizing a moment of reckoning or realization. Nevertheless, he doesn't give up his search and continues to fly high above the gray fields and along the river's edge, sensing that his reward is somewhere out there, waiting to be found.


Overall, "My Beautiful Reward" is a powerful reflection on the human experience of longing, searching, and hoping. The song shows that even in the midst of life's difficulties, there is always a glimmer of beauty and redemption to be found if one is willing to keep searching.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I sought gold and diamond rings
I have been searching for wealth and luxury my whole life.


My own drug to ease the pain that living brings
I have been using drugs to deal with the hardships of life.


Walked from the mountain to the valley floor
I have been on a journey through both the highs and lows of life.


Searching for my beautiful reward
Throughout all of my struggles, I am constantly searching for something good to come out of it.


From a house on a hill a sacred light shines
I see other people living better lives than me, and I am envious of their success.


I walk through these rooms but none of them are mine
Despite being surrounded by wealth and extravagance, I do not feel like I belong there.


Down empty hallways I went from door to door
I have been trying to find my place in the world, but it has been a fruitless journey.


Well your hair shone in the sun
I fell in love with someone who was beautiful and radiant.


I was so high I was the lucky one
Being with this person made me feel incredible and lucky.


Then I came crashing down like a drunk on a barroom floor
However, our relationship eventually fell apart and left me feeling broken and lost.


Tonight I can feel the cold wind at my back
I am currently facing a difficult situation or transition in my life.


I'm flyin' high over gray fields my feathers long and black
Despite the challenges, I am determined to overcome them and rise above my circumstances.


Down along the river's silent edge I soar
I am confident that I will eventually find my beautiful reward, no matter how long the journey may be.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

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

@m-pierrerousseauboileau9343

Paroles et musique : Bruce Springsteen
Well I sought gold and diamond rings
My own drug to ease the pain that living brings
Walked from the mountain to the valley floor
Searching for my beautiful reward
Searching for my beautiful reward
From a house on a hill a sacred light shines
I walk through these rooms but none of them are mine
Down empty hallways I went from door to door
Searching for my beautiful reward
Searching for my beautiful reward
Well your hair shone in the sun
I was so high I was the lucky one
Then I came crashing down like a drunk on a barroom floor
Searching for my beautiful reward
Searching for my beautiful reward
Tonight I can feel the cold wind at my back
I'm flyin' high over gray fields my feathers long and black
Down along the river's silent edge I soar
Searching for my beautiful reward
Searching for my beautiful reward
(Source : LyricFind)



@lolaalonso6770

Bueno, busqué anillos de oro y diamantes
Well I sought gold and diamond rings

Mi propia droga para aliviar el dolor que trae la vida
My own drug to ease the pain that living brings

Caminé desde la montaña hasta el fondo del valle
Walked from the mountain to the valley floor

Buscando mi hermosa recompensa
Searching for my beautiful reward

Buscando mi hermosa recompensa
Searching for my beautiful reward
Desde una casa en una colina brilla una luz sagrada
From a house on a hill a sacred light shines

Camino por estas habitaciones pero ninguna es mía
I walk through these rooms but none of them are mine

Por pasillos vacíos fui de puerta en puerta
Down empty hallways I went from door to door

Buscando mi hermosa recompensa
Searching for my beautiful reward

Buscando mi hermosa recompensa
Searching for my beautiful reward
Bueno, tu cabello brillaba al sol
Well your hair shone in the sun

Estaba tan drogado que fui el afortunado
I was so high I was the lucky one

Luego me derrumbé como un borracho en el piso de un bar
Then I came crashing down like a drunk on a barroom floor

Buscando mi hermosa recompensa
Searching for my beautiful reward

Buscando mi hermosa recompensa
Searching for my beautiful reward
Esta noche puedo sentir el viento frío en mi espalda
Tonight I can feel the cold wind at my back

Estoy volando alto sobre campos grises, mis plumas son largas y negras
I'm flyin' high over gray fields my feathers long and black

A lo largo del borde silencioso del río me elevo
Down along the river's silent edge I soar

Buscando mi hermosa recompensa
Searching for my beautiful reward

Buscando mi hermosa recompensa
Searching for my beautiful reward



@wesselkerssies857

Well I sought gold and diamond rings
My own drug to ease the pain that living brings
Walked from the mountain to the valley floor
Searching for my beautiful reward [x2]
From a house on a hill a sacred light shines
I walk through these rooms but none of them are mine
Down empty hallways I went from door to door
Searching for my beautiful reward [x2]
Well your hair shone in the sun
I was so high I was the lucky one
Then I came crashing down like a drunk on a barroom floor
Searching for my beautiful reward [x2]
Tonight I can feel the cold wind at my back
I'm flying high over gray fields my feathers long and black
Down along the river's silent edge I soar
Searching for my beautiful reward [x2]



All comments from YouTube:

@michalsviatko6560

Bruce has accompanied me all my life. I listened to this song on the way to my summer job when I was 16 working at the petrol station. Back then none of my friends understood this music. After 25 years, they still don't. But I do. That is what counts :-)

@mkrbrtsn1

join the club brother!

@mtacktill

You need better friends

@douglaswelch1113

I feel the same way to this day and it still hasn't changed for me. I'm 59 yrs old and been listening to it since 1975 when I was 13 yrs old. Each and every time it still feels and sounds like the first time and gives me chills and great feeling inside of me like I've never experienced before in my lifetime. God bless Bruce and thanks Bruce for your great music. Don't know where I would be today if it wasn't for you. Amen

@mkrbrtsn1

My family doesn't understand my Bruce obsession either but it's OK, I don't have to explain it to them.

@mkrbrtsn1

I understand man!

2 More Replies...

@Erstaification

This is my Main Man! Last time in Stockholm i went to every concert, including the extra. I have a Springsteen song for every mode and every feeling in my spectra ♥️

@riajongeneel9426

Bruce is such a great singer and lyricist, he is one of my favorite singers, every day I listen to his music, he helps me through the difficult time. Thanks for sharing.🥰🥰🥰

@birgittagrunerwald7726

Thank you for this beautiful song, Bruce! And when you play the harmonica, so beautiful!❤️❤️

@willrothfuss8470

I mean, I don't know, is this his most beautiful song? I guess the one you are listening too is always the most beautiful. There is another heartbreaker on Lucky Town that always tears me up, "If I Should Fall Behind".

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