'39
George Michael and Queen Lyrics
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In the days when lands were few
Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn
The sweetest sight ever seen
And the night followed day
And the story tellers say
That the score brave souls inside
Ne'er looked back, never feared, never cried
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew
In the year of '39 came a ship in from the blue
The volunteers came home that day
And they bring good news of a world so newly born
Though their hearts so heavily weigh
For the earth is old and grey, to a new home we'll away
But my love this cannot be
For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
All the letters in the sand cannot heal me like your hand
For my life
Still ahead
Pity me
'39 by George Michael and Queen is a song that tells an interesting story of a group of volunteers who assembled in the year of '39 when there were only a few lands. These volunteers set sail on a ship that sailed out into the blue on a sunny morning. The song talks about the bravery and determination of these sailors who sailed across the milky seas for many lonely days without ever looking back, fearing or crying. The lyrics go on to depict the loneliness and longing of a loved one calling out to someone who is away, asking them to write letters in the sand and join them in the land that their grandchildren will know. It paints a picture of hope and love that spans across generations.
The second part of the song goes on to describe how the volunteers return home with good news of a newly born world, but their hearts are heavy with the knowledge that the earth is old and grey. They look forward to moving to a new home, but the singer laments their separation from their loved one who is many years away. The lyrics express the pain and longing that comes with the passing of time and the realization that life is fleeting, but hope persists even in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
In the year of '39 assembled here the volunteers
The volunteers gathered in 1939 to embark on a journey to explore new and scarce lands.
In the days when lands were few
The journey took place in a time when livable and habitable places were hard to come by.
Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn
The ship embarked on the journey leaving the port early in the morning under clear skies.
The sweetest sight ever seen
The sight of the ship sailing into the bright blue day was a beautiful and heartwarming moment.
And the night followed day
As time passed, days became nights and vice versa.
And the story tellers say
According to legend and tales passed down, it is said that...
That the score brave souls inside
A group of 20 brave and determined individuals were on board the ship embarking on the journey.
For many a lonely day sailed across the milky seas
They spent numerous lonely days at sea traveling across vast waters.
Ne'er looked back, never feared, never cried
Despite any fears, hardships or setbacks, they never gave up, never cried nor looked back.
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
I'm calling out to you, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, that you may hear me.
Don't you hear me calling you
My call is not in vain, I have faith that it will reach you.
Write your letters in the sand
Please don't forget me, you can leave me messages in the sand where we once stood together.
For the day I take your hand
I'm waiting for the day when I'll finally meet you again and hold your hand.
In the land that our grandchildren knew
One day, when our grandchildren rule the world, we'll be together again.
In the year of '39 came a ship in from the blue
A year later, in 1940, another ship arrived from the same journey, this time with news.
The volunteers came home that day
The volunteers had finally returned home after their long, adventurous and dangerous journey.
And they bring good news of a world so newly born
They brought back happy news about the discovery of new, vibrant and plentiful lands.
Though their hearts so heavily weigh
The volunteers were still heavily burdened by the challenges and heartaches they faced on their voyage.
For the earth is old and grey, to a new home we'll away
Despite the earth being old and monotonous, they will leave for a new and better home.
But my love this cannot be
Sadly, my love, we cannot travel together because...
For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Too much time has passed and I've aged, whereas you've stayed the same.
Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me
I can see your mother's eyes in your eyes, and they're crying out to me.
All the letters in the sand cannot heal me like your hand
No matter how many messages you leave in the sand, they won't heal me, only your touch will.
For my life
Unfortunately, for me...
Still ahead
There are still many challenges and obstacles to face in the future.
Pity me
I ask you to feel sorry for me and my situation.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind