Rainbow
Chet Atkins Lyrics
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There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
The song "Over the Rainbow" is a wistful ballad that expresses the desire for a better life, free from problems and full of dreams. The lyrics conjure images of a magical land, beyond the rainbow, where problems are non-existent, and dreams come true. The lyrics speak of a place that is heard of only in a lullaby, and one can only get there by wishing upon a star. The blue skies and the presence of bluebirds flying over the rainbow symbolize hope and the possibility of achieving one's dreams.
The verse that speaks of troubles melting like lemon drops and being high above chimney tops conveys a sense of freedom, detachment and flying away from life's difficulties. The song becomes a powerful metaphor for the human condition, where we all desire hope, love, and contentment, and we all long to escape our problems and achieve our dreams. The song speaks to the universal desire for a better life, for we all hope to fly beyond our limitations, like the bluebird in the song.
Overall, "Over the Rainbow" is a timeless classic that continues to evoke emotions and resonate with people today. Its gentle melody and soulful lyrics speak to the human desire for hope and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There is a distant, fantastic place where one can only access by going extremely far up.
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
This is a far-off, fictional place that exists only in stories someone may have heard when they were a child.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
The place has a serene, calm atmosphere with clear blue skies as far as the eye can see.
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
The place is a symbol of pure potential where people can dream big and hope to achieve impossible goals.
Really do come true.
It is a magical land where anything is possible and people's dreams can turn into reality.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
In order to reach this land, one must make a wish upon a star, which may appear impossible or unlikely, but that wish may ultimately come true.
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Escaping from one's problems and concerns, represented by clouds, is a critical component of reaching this utopian land.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
Once in this land, all of one's worries will disappear as if by magic, with no more stress or anxiety.
High above the chimney tops, That's where you'll find me.
This land is located at an unimaginable height, far above any human structure or building.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
It is a place where blue birds can fly, which represents beauty and freedom.
Birds fly over the rainbow
Birds are emblematic of the freedom and happiness that people feel in this utopia.
Why then, oh why can't I?
Despite the dreams, it may be impossible to reach the land, leading to feelings of longing, despair, or inadequacy.
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
If others can find happiness and freedom each day they wake up in the land, then maybe it is possible to achieve the same thing.
Why, oh why can't I?
Despite repeated attempts, one may still be unable to reach the utopian land, leading to continued feelings of disappointment or hopelessness.
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
paisleyswift13
Thank you for posting such a great video! First time I've seen Chet play "Rainbow" on a nylon string.
Shane McPherson
I love the harmony from the second guitar part! I can't find any other Rainbow performances/tracks with that harmony, so this video is really special. Please don't remove it...
F F
Paul yandell was one of the best of the best.
chet atkins
Best ever version of rainbow an acoustic feast my hero
John White
A tab for this? Really?
Radovan Uhler
I long for a tab, does anybody have it ?
Sam Hillman
There is a tab of this exact video in issue 92 of Mister Guitar magazine June 2019!