Colin James Hay is a Scottish-born Australian musician and actor who made h… Read Full Bio ↴Colin James Hay is a Scottish-born Australian musician and actor who made his mark during the 1980s as lead vocalist of the band Men at Work and subsequently as a solo artist.

Singer/Songwriter Colin Hay is the former front-man of the classic Australian band Men at Work. Since the group disbanded he has released several solo albums, including Man at Work, which featured re-recordings of classic Men at Work songs in an acoustic environment.

Hay has also been involved with the NBC TV series Scrubs, lending several songs to the sitcom, including "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin," "My Brilliant Feat" and "Beautiful World." He also starred as a troubadour in the first episode of season two, "My Overkill," performing his song "Overkill," which was also the basis for the episode's title.

Don't Be Afraid
Colin Hay Lyrics

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Don't be Afraid
Tomorrow may never come
Don't hesitate
I'll catch you if you fall

One day you'll leave me
This thing I know
But while you still hear me

I'll watch as you grow

Don't be afraid
Tomorrow may never come
Young hearts can break
But old hearts they bend in the breeze

Don't be Afraid
Tomorrow may never come
Don't hesitate
I'll catch you if you fall

You don't believe me
You're too young to know
But when you get up and leave me
I won't watch you go

Oh no, no
Don't be afraid
Tomorrow may never come

Don't sleep in late
Tomorrow is not Saturday

Overall Meaning

In Colin Hay's song "Don't Be Afraid," the singer is speaking to someone they care about deeply, likely a child or a young person. The message of the song is clear: live without fear, take risks, and seize the moment. The idea of tomorrow not coming is used to highlight the importance of living in the present, rather than putting off things until the future. The singer acknowledges that the person they are speaking to will one day leave them, but encourages them to do so confidently and without fear, because they have been taught how to grow and thrive.

The lyrics show a wisdom that only comes with experience, and the singer is trying to impart that wisdom onto the listener. They remind them that young hearts can break, but old ones are more resilient - they can bend in the breeze. The message here is that the person they are speaking to will face adversity, but they will be strong enough to handle it.

The final verse of the song is perhaps the most poignant. The singer notes that the listener may not believe them - they are too young to know what the future holds. However, the singer promises not to just sit back and watch the person leave. This shows a deep level of caring and support, and drives home the message of the song - don't be afraid to take risks, because someone will always be there to catch you.

Overall, "Don't Be Afraid" is a heartfelt and poignant song that encourages listeners to embrace the present moment and live life without fear. It teaches that while the future may be uncertain, we can find comfort and strength in the support of those we love.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't be Afraid
Do not feel scared or anxious

Tomorrow may never come
It is uncertain whether there will be tomorrow or not, so don't waste today

Don't hesitate
Don't pause or doubt, take your chance

I'll catch you if you fall
I will support you and help you recover if things go wrong

One day you'll leave me
I know that eventually, you will move on from me and leave my side

This thing I know
This fact is something that I am certain of

But while you still hear me
As long as you can listen to me, I will be by your side

I'll watch as you grow
I will observe and be proud of your development

Young hearts can break
Youthful emotions can be fragile and easily hurt

But old hearts they bend in the breeze
Mature hearts are more resilient and can adapt to change

You don't believe me
You do not have faith in what I am saying