Where Do I Go?
Galt MacDermot/Tom Pierson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Follow the river
Where do I go
Follow the gulls
Where is the something
Where is the someone
That tells me why I live and die
Where do I go
Follow the children
Where do I go
Follow their smiles
Is there an answer
In their sweet faces
That tells me why I live and die
Follow the wind song
Follow the thunder
Follow the neon in young lovers' eyes
Down to the gutter
Up to the glitter
Into the city
Where the truth lies
Where do I go
Follow my heartbeat
Where do I go
Follow my hand
Where will they lead me
And will I ever
Discover why I live and die
Why do I live (beads, flowers)
Why do I die (freedom, happiness)
Tell my why (beads, flowers)
Tell me where (freedom, happiness)
Tell my why (beads, flowers)
Tell me why (freedom!)
The song Where Do I Go by Galt MacDermot/Tom Pierson is a poignant exploration of the search for meaning and direction in life. In the verses, the singer is desperately attempting to find answers to the questions that plague them - why they live and why they die - and is seeking guidance from various sources, including nature (the river, the gulls, the wind), children (their smiles and sweet faces), and the urban landscape (the neon and young lovers' eyes). Despite following these various paths, the singer is left uncertain and ultimately asks the larger questions once again - "Where do I go?"/"Where will they lead me?" and "Will I ever discover why I live and die?"
The lyrics of the song speak to a universal human experience - the quest for purpose and understanding in a seemingly chaotic world. The use of vivid imagery, such as following the wind song and the neon in young lovers' eyes, creates a dreamlike and mystical atmosphere that underscores the desire for a deeper truth. Additionally, the repetition of phrases, as well as the shifting between hopeful and despairing tones, reflect the cyclical nature of the search for meaning and the ups and downs that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Where do I go
I am lost and seeking direction
Follow the river
I am willing to follow a natural path
Where is the something
I am searching for a purpose
Where is the someone
I am searching for a guide
That tells me why I live and die
I am seeking the meaning of life and death
Follow the children
I am willing to follow innocence and purity
Follow their smiles
I am willing to follow happiness and joy
Is there an answer
I am questioning if there is a solution
In their sweet faces
I am looking for answers in their genuine expressions
That tells me why I live and die
I am seeking the meaning of life and death
Follow the wind song
I am willing to follow the melody of nature
Follow the thunder
I am willing to follow the power of nature
Follow the neon in young lovers' eyes
I am willing to follow the passion of young romance
Down to the gutter
I am willing to descend to the lowest levels of society
Up to the glitter
I am willing to ascend to the highest levels of society
Into the city
I am willing to explore urban environments
Where the truth lies
I am seeking the reality behind appearances
Follow my heartbeat
I am willing to follow my intuition
Follow my hand
I am willing to follow my destiny
Where will they lead me
I am uncertain of my path
And will I ever
I have doubts about finding answers
Discover why I live and die
I am seeking the meaning of life and death
Why do I live (beads, flowers)
I am questioning the purpose of existence and seeking beauty and spirituality
Why do I die (freedom, happiness)
I am questioning the inevitability of death and seeking liberation and joy
Tell my why (beads, flowers)
I am asking for guidance and wisdom related to the beauty and spirituality of existence
Tell me where (freedom, happiness)
I am asking for guidance and wisdom related to the liberation and joy in life and afterlife
Tell my why (beads, flowers)
I am asking for guidance and wisdom related to the beauty and spirituality of existence
Tell me why (freedom!)
I am asking for guidance and wisdom related to the concept of freedom
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Galt Mac Dermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind