Wimoweh
Holly Near Arlo Guthrie Ronnie Gilbert Pete Seeger Lyrics
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We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
Brothers, sisters, all
Every rung goes higher and higher
Every rung goes higher and higher
Every rung goes higher and higher
We are dancing Sarah's circle
We are dancing Sarah's circle
We are dancing Sarah's circle
Sisters, brothers, all
Every round a generation
Every round a generation
Every round a generation
Sisters, brothers, all
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
Brothers, sisters, all
The lyrics to "Wimoweh" by Holly Near, Arlo Guthrie, Ronnie Gilbert, and Pete Seeger are rich in allegory and symbolic meaning. The song is about the journey of life, represented as climbing Jacob's ladder. Jacob's ladder is a biblical reference from the book of Genesis where Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching up to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. In this context, the ladder is a metaphor for the struggles and challenges we face in life, and the ascent up the ladder represents growth, progress, and personal development.
Throughout the song, the repetition of "brothers, sisters, all" emphasizes the unity and camaraderie required to overcome the challenges of life. The lyrics also mention "dancing Sarah's circle," which is a reference to the Jewish tradition of dancing in a circle at weddings and other joyous occasions. This circle symbolizes the cycle of life, with each round representing a generation passing on its knowledge and wisdom to the next.
The overall message of the song is one of hope and encouragement, emphasizing the importance of community and perseverance in the face of life's obstacles. It reminds us that each step we take on our journey has the potential to take us higher and closer to our goals, but we must work together and support one another to reach the top of the ladder.
Line by Line Meaning
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are striving to achieve success and ascend to a higher level of existence, just like the biblical figure Jacob who had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven.
Every rung goes higher and higher
With every step we take towards our goals, we elevate ourselves to new heights of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Brothers, sisters, all
Regardless of gender or familial ties, we are all united in our shared quest for personal growth and greater meaning in life.
We are dancing Sarah's circle
We are participating in a communal celebration of life, inspired by the biblical Sarah who danced joyfully after giving birth to her first child.
Every round a generation
Every cycle of life is a new opportunity to create a better world and pass on our values and wisdom to future generations.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: JAMES J. COVELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind