Little Wing
Derek & The Dominos Lyrics
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With a circus mind that's running 'round.
Butterflies and zebras, fairy tales,
That's all she ever thinks about.
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles she gives to me free.
Said, "It's all right, take anything you want,
Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that's running 'round.
Butterflies and zebras, fairy tales,
That's all she ever thinks about.
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles she gives to me free.
Said, "It's all right, take anything you want,
Anything you want, anything."
Fly on, little wing.
The lyrics to Derek & The Dominos's song "Little Wing" describe a woman who is full of whimsy and imagination. She is able to escape reality and walk through the clouds. In her mind, she is surrounded by butterflies, zebras, and fairy tales. This "circus mind" runs around freely, allowing her to live in a world of her own creation.
The singer of the song finds comfort in this woman when he is sad. She comes to him with a thousand smiles and reassures him that everything will be alright. She tells him to take whatever he wants, anything at all. The song ends with the woman being encouraged to fly on her "little wing," continuing to live in her magical world.
The lyrics of "Little Wing" are often interpreted as a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, a friend of guitarist Eric Clapton. Hendrix famously covered the song, and Clapton was inspired by Hendrix's unique style of guitar playing. The reference to a "circus mind" is also believed to be a nod to Hendrix's album, "Electric Ladyland," which includes a song titled "Crosstown Traffic" with the lyrics, "You're just like crosstown traffic, so hard to get through to you / Is your mind playing tricks on you, or is it just your circuses?”
Line by Line Meaning
Well she's walking through the clouds
She is in a state of euphoria and is not grounded in reality
With a circus mind that's running 'round.
Her thoughts are erratic and fanciful
Butterflies and zebras, fairy tales,
She is preoccupied with childlike fantasies and whimsy
That's all she ever thinks about.
Her mind is consumed by these fantastical notions
When I'm sad she comes to me
She is a source of comfort for the artist
With a thousand smiles she gives to me free.
Her demeanor is warm and inviting
Said, "It's all right, take anything you want,
She offers the singer unconditional support and generosity
Anything you want, anything."
She is willing to do whatever it takes to make the artist happy
Fly on, little wing.
The artist encourages her to keep dreaming and pursuing her ideals
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimi Hendrix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chanytube
Lyrics
Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that's running 'round.
Butterflies and zebras, fairy tales,
That's all she ever thinks about.
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles she gives to me free.
Said, "It's all right, take anything you want,
Anything you want, anything."
Well she's walking through the clouds
With a circus mind that's running 'round.
Butterflies and zebras, fairy tales,
That's all she ever thinks about.
When I'm sad she comes to me
With a thousand smiles she gives to me free.
Said, "It's all right, take anything you want,
Anything you want, anything."
Fly on, little wing.
=======================
Songwriters: JIMI HENDRIX
© Universal Music Publishing Group
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: LyricFind
@gilkenson53
Crying guitars ... An ode to Hendrix... What a great LP... I bought it in 1970, the same year I saw the Allman Brothers with brother Duane... Music this good never grows old...
@josiahquincy2744
skydog and clapton wailing matchless , and bobby whitlock's backup vocals make it all-time
@mjbachman3027
I got a vinyl copy of Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs as one of my 18th birthday gifts from my parents on 1/21/1971. They asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and Layla was my only request.
@kenrex1126
👍🇺🇸
@ProMrLecoq01
You’re so right! Never gonna stop enjoying this
@michaeladamcik7475
@@mjbachman3027 I still play my vinyl copy on my new turntable. Enjoy
@markb20
Eight years ago I commented here about how special this gorgeous song has been in my life, truly one of the greatest and most moving songs in rock history.
To read the rest of these wonderful comments about this song added over the years is a wonderful feeling. You can spend a lifetime never meeting up with like-minded people who share your love and appreciation for something that is so beautiful it brings you to tears each time you experience it.
Such is this gem, the timeless Little Wing, from the masterpiece that is the Layla album.
Thanks for sharing your love for this breathtaking creation and making me feel part of such a wonderful shared experience like this.
@markz5505
Credit to Jimi Hendrix for this wonderful composition!
I have heard this song done so many ways and it has always been great whether it is electric, acoustic, or in this case Clapton and Duane Allman. I just wish they included the guitar intro on this version..
@vickyvlrich
Eric and Bobby's vocals....incredible
@LeeEisenstein
Absolutely. Bobby's accompanying vocals blew me away from the first time I heard this. To my ears, he was a huge part of their sound, especially the back and forth he and Eric did.