My Way
Don Cherry & Willie Nelson Lyrics
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And as I face the final curtain
My friends, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived my life that's full
I've traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
I saw it through without exemption
I took my time charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I did it all and I stood tall
And did it my way
I've loved, and I've laughed and cried
I've had my share, my fill of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And let me say, not in a shy way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way
What is man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
My record shows I took the blows
And (I) did it my way
I did it my way
The song "My Way" is a classic anthem of self-determination, defiance and reflection on a life well-lived. The singer of the song acknowledges that his life is approaching its end and sings of facing the final curtain. However, his outlook is one of satisfaction rather than sorrow, for he knows that he has lived a full life, having travelled every highway and charted his own unique course. The singer reflects on his journey, reliving the highs and lows of his experiences. He acknowledges that there were certainly moments of doubt and hardship, but he always overcame them, staying true to his own vision and never giving up in the face of adversity. He concludes that, in the end, he is content with the life he has lived, knowing that he did it all "his way."
The song "My Way" has come to be known as one of the most iconic and timeless pieces of music ever recorded. Originally written by French songwriter Claude Francois in 1967, the song was adapted and given English lyrics by Paul Anka, who then recorded his own version of the song. However, it was Frank Sinatra's 1969 recording of the song that truly made it a hit, and it has since become synonymous with the legendary crooner. The Don Cherry and Willie Nelson cover provides a stripped-down, country-folk take on the song, but it still retains the same sense of defiant conviction and reflection on a life well-lived that made the original so powerful.
Line by Line Meaning
And now the end is near
The end of my life is approaching
And so I face the final curtain
I am ready to face death
My friend, I'll say it clear
I will speak plainly
I'll state my case of which I'm certain
I will speak about what I am sure of
I've lived a life that's full
I have lived a satisfying life
I've traveled each and every highway
I have experienced everything life has to offer
And more, much more than this
I have done even more than just traveling every highway
I did it my way
I lived my life on my own terms
Regrets, I've had a few
I have made mistakes, but not too many
But then again too few to mention
I have made so few mistakes that they are not worth talking about
I did what I had to do
I did what was necessary
And saw it through without exemption
I followed through until the end without exception
I planned each charted course
I carefully mapped out my path in life
Each careful step along the byway
I was cautious and meticulous in my approach
But more, much more than this
I did even more than just plan and be meticulous
I did it my way
I always followed my own path
Yes, there were times I'm sure you knew
I'm sure you knew there were times
When I bit off more than I could chew
When I took on more than I could handle
But through it all when there was doubt
Despite the uncertainty, I persevered
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it head on and dealt with it
I faced it all and I stood tall
I faced everything that came my way and remained strong
And did it my way
And I did it on my own terms
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I have experienced the full range of human emotions
I've had my fill, my share of losing
I have lost in life
And now, as tears subside
As I get older, I don't cry as much
I find it all so amusing
I find it funny to look back on my life
To think I did all that
To think I accomplished so much
And may I say, not in a shy way
And I say this boldly
No, oh no not me
I did it all on my own
I did it my way
I lived my life according to my own rules
For what is a man, what has he got?
What is a man really worth?
If not himself, then he has naught
If he is not true to himself, he has nothing
To say the things he truly feels
To speak honestly about his deepest feelings
And not the words of one who kneels
And not the words of someone who is submissive
The record shows I took the blows
The facts prove that I faced many hardships
And did it my way
And I dealt with them on my own terms
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE, JEUNE MUSIQUE EDITIONS
Written by: Claude Francois, Gilles Thibaut, Jacques Revaux, Paul Anka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind