somewhere over the rainbow
Garland Judy 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.
Way 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?
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" is arguably one of the most iconic and beloved songs in the world. Judy Garland's version of the song, which was written by Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen, has come to symbolize hope, optimism, and the idea that anything is possible if you have faith and imagination. The song is a tribute to the power of dreams and the hope that they can offer when life seems impossible.
The song opens with the singer imagining a magical, far-off land that she has heard of in a lullaby. This land is somewhere "over the rainbow, way up high," beyond the reach of mortal man. In this place, the skies are always blue, and dreams really do come true. It's a place of total escape from the troubles of the world, where you can be yourself and feel safe.
The next verse is even more powerful, as the singer declares that one day she will "wish upon a star" and wake up in this magical place, where "troubles melt like lemon drops" and she can be truly happy. She describes a picture-perfect scene where she is above the clouds, looking down on the world like a bird. The last two verses repeat the idea of blue birds flying over the rainbow, symbolizing hope and freedom, and the singer is left wondering why she can't fly like them.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a distant place high up in the sky that I long to go to.
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
I have heard of this enchanted place in a lullaby when I was younger.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
In this faraway place, the skies are always blue.
And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true.
I've been told that your most daring and cherished dreams can actually come true there.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
I'll make a wish upon a star someday.
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
I'll wake up in a place where all my worries and fears are left far behind.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Way above the chimney tops, That's where you'll find me.
Up in this mystical land, all of my troubles would seem to disappear effortlessly, and that's where I would like to stay.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
There are bluebirds that fly across this wondrous place.
Birds fly over the rainbow
The colorful birds soar over the rainbow, making it even more magical.
Why then, oh why can't I?
Why, even though birds are able to fly to that magical place, can't I do the same?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
If even small bluebirds can fly over the rainbow to the magical place.
Why, oh why can't I?
Why, then, am I not capable of doing the same?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: E.Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind