Tomorrow Never Knows
Jimi Hendrix (feat. Jim Morrison Buddy Miles & Johnny Winter) Lyrics


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Turn off your mind relax and float down stream
It is not dying, it is not dying

Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void,
It is shining, it is shining.

Yet you may see the meaning of within
It is being, it is being

Love is all and love is everyone
It is knowing, it is knowing

And ignorance and hate mourn the dead
It is believing, it is believing

But listen to the colour of your dreams
It is not leaving, it is not leaving





So play the game "Existence" to the end
Of the beginning, of the beginning

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jimi Hendrix's song Tommorow Never Knows explore the idea of surrendering oneself to the void and finding peace in the unknown. The line "Turn off your mind relax and float down stream" suggests a letting go of thoughts and attachments, allowing oneself to be carried along by the flow of life. The repetition of "It is not dying" reinforces the idea that surrendering to the unknown is not a death, but rather a release from the confines of the ego and the material world.


The following verse urges the listener to lay down all thoughts and surrender to the shining void. The idea that one can see the meaning of within, and that love is all and everyone, suggests a deep connection to the universe and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all beings. The final line "It is believing" suggests that this recognition of connectedness is a belief system, but one that is not necessarily based on religion or dogma.


The chorus, "But listen to the colour of your dreams, it is not leaving" adds to the overall dreamlike quality of the song, suggesting that the dream world is just as real as the waking world. The final line, "So play the game 'Existence' to the end, of the beginning" combines the ideas of surrender and acceptance with the notion that existence is a game to be played until its natural end.


Line by Line Meaning

Turn off your mind relax and float down stream
Relinquish the control of your thoughts and drift freely with the flow of life


It is not dying, it is not dying
Death is not end but a mere transformation to a new form of existence


Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void
Let go of your mental constructs and embrace the infinite emptiness of the universe


It is shining, it is shining.
The void is not a dark abyss but a radiant source of pure consciousness


Yet you may see the meaning of within
By exploring your inner self, you can perceive the true essence of life


It is being, it is being
Life is not a destination but a perpetual state of becoming


Love is all and love is everyone
Love is the universal force that transcends all boundaries and unites all existence


It is knowing, it is knowing
Love is not a sentiment but a profound understanding of the interconnectivity of all things


And ignorance and hate mourn the dead
The absence of love leads to feelings of sorrow and despair, even in the face of death


It is believing, it is believing
Believing in the power of love and connection to overcome all obstacles


But listen to the colour of your dreams
Pay attention to the vibrant and symbolic imagery of your subconscious mind


It is not leaving, it is not leaving
The messages of your dreams are not ephemeral, but a permanent part of your psyche


So play the game "Existence" to the end
Life is a game with no predetermined outcome, but the journey is worth experiencing until the very end


Of the beginning, of the beginning
Every end is also a new beginning, an eternal cycle of creation and transformation




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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