Castles in the Air
Jim Croce & Don McLean Lyrics
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That I'm tired of Castles in the Air
I've got a dream I want the world to share in castle walls
Just leave me to despair
Hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky
A dream come true, I'll live there 'til I die
I'm asking you, to say my last goodbye
Save me from all the trouble and the pain
I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again
Tell her the reasons why I can't remain
Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain
Oh, but how can words express the feel of sunlight
In the morning in the hills away from city strife
I need a country woman for my wife
I'm city born but I love the country life
For I can not be part of her "Cocktail-Generation Partner's Waltz,"
Devoid of all romance
The music plays and everyone must dance
I'm bowing out, I need a second chance
Save me from all the trouble and the pain
I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again
Tell her the reasons why I can't remain
Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain
And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you
That I'm tired of Castles in the Air
I've got a dream I want the world to share in castle walls
Just leave me to despair
The lyrics of Jim Croce and Don McLean’s song “Castles in the Air” are a reflection of the singer’s longing for a simpler life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. He dreams of living in a picturesque landscape with hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky. The singer’s desire to escape the trappings of modern society is accentuated by his declaration that he needs a country woman for his wife.
The lyrics also touch upon the themes of lost love and bitterness. The singer is tired of the “Castles in the Air” of his relationship and wants to move on. He asks a friend to convey his message to his former love interest that he is done trying and that the love they knew is not worth another try. He cannot be part of the “Cocktail-Generation Partner’s Waltz,” which represents the emptiness of his former relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you
If she inquires, let it be known that I confided in you
That I'm tired of Castles in the Air
I'm disheartened by my lofty, unrealistic aspirations
I've got a dream I want the world to share in castle walls
I crave a life of opulence and luxury, surrounded by fortifications
Just leave me to despair
Let me wallow in my hopelessness
Hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky
I long for idyllic landscapes stretching upwards to the heavens
A dream come true, I'll live there 'til I die
This is the utopia I seek to inhabit for the rest of my days
I'm asking you, to say my last goodbye
Please deliver my farewell message
The love we knew, ain't worth another try
Our past love is futile, there's no point in rekindling it
Save me from all the trouble and the pain
Spare me the agony of facing her again
I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again
I'm admitting my own frailty, but I'm unable to confront her
Tell her the reasons why I can't remain
Explain to her my justifications for leaving
Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain
I hope that if you speak plainly, she'll comprehensively grasp my reasoning
Oh, but how can words express the feel of sunlight
Verbal language is insufficient to convey the sensation of sun rays
In the morning in the hills away from city strife
Dawn in the countryside offers a respite from urban turmoil
I need a country woman for my wife
I desire a spouse who is in tune with pastoral living
I'm city born but I love the country life
Though I'm a product of the metropolis, I'm infatuated with rural existence
For I can not be part of her "Cocktail-Generation Partner's Waltz,"
I don't want to be associated with her contemporaries' frivolous way of life
Devoid of all romance
Lacking any sense of passion or ardor
The music plays and everyone must dance
Social norms dictate conformity to the dance floor
I'm bowing out, I need a second chance
I'm respectfully withdrawing from this situation in order to start anew
And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you
Reiterating the initial request for disclosure
That I'm tired of Castles in the Air
A reminder of the weariness of trying to realize a fantasy
I've got a dream I want the world to share in castle walls
Reinforcing the notion of a shared dream behind castle walls
Just leave me to despair
Echoing a desire to suffer alone
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON MCLEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony
And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you
That I'm tired of castles in the air
I've got a dream I want the world to share
And castle walls just lead me to despair
Hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky
A dream come true, I'll live there 'til I die
I'm asking you to say my last goodbye
The love we knew ain't worth another try
Save me from all the trouble and the pain
I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again
Tell her the reasons why I can't remain
Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain
Oh, but how can words express the feel of sunlight in the morning
In the hills away from city strife
I need a country woman for my wife
I'm city born but I love the country life
For I cannot be part of the cocktail generation
Partners waltz devoid of all romance
The music plays and everyone must dance
I'm bowing out, I need a second chance
Save me from all the trouble and the pain
I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again
Tell her the reasons why I can't remain
Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain
And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you
That I'm tired of castles in the air
I've got a dream I want the world to share
And castle walls just lead me to despair
robert dearman
If you asked 100 people on the street to name a Done McLean song, I doubt if anyone would name this one, but in my opinion, it is hands down the best song he ever did. So deeply personal and so real. I just can't stop listening to this song.
Faraht Fifi
This is his.best song
Alex Wilson
I agree this and its just the sun are tied
sally archer
It’s gorgeous
Gary Bice
His best
Colin Geddes
Totaly agree.💯
J Pathak
Anybody out there listening to this classic in 2020? Don McLean’s poetry is marvelous.
Mabeobsa
J Pathak I think you’re lost, time traveler
Mary Sinclair
I promise I will listen to this in 2020.
Tara Seguin
2019 yes....almost 2020. My favorite Don McLean song BY FAR!!