Let The Healing Begin
Joe Cocker Lyrics


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I've kept it inside much too long
There's no relief
Carry it around just like a stone
Too heavy for me

I have paid the price of standing
On the outside looking in
It's time to let the healing begin

A boy is strung out he's going through hell
His mother weeps
His spirit is broken and there's nothing left
Just a terrible need

And the days are marked by the heaviness of the heart
It never mends
Until the healing begins

And the tension prowels the streets like an animal
The people stay behind their locks and chains
It's a shame
When so many are trying their best to live as one
And the smoke from the fires covers up the sun

A young girl is lying in the dirt
Her dreams ended there
Caught in the crossfire on somebody's turf
Hatred in the air

It's a voice that never sings
A winter without the spring
It never ends




Time to let the healing begin
Time to let the healing begin

Overall Meaning

The song "Let The Healing Begin" by Joe Cocker is a powerful reflection on the struggle to find peace and healing amidst the chaos of life. The opening lyrics reveal a sense of internal turmoil and burden that has been carried for too long. The weight is too much to bear, and it's time to let it go. Cocker sings of standing on the outside looking in, a poignant image of feeling disconnected and alienated from those around him. But despite the pain and isolation, there is a sense of hope that emerges in the chorus. It's time to let the healing begin, to release the pain and embrace the possibility of something better.


As the song unfolds, Cocker tells the stories of several individuals who are similarly struggling to find healing in their lives. There's a boy caught in addiction, a community torn apart by violence and fear, and a young girl whose dreams have been crushed by the hatred of others. Through each of these vignettes, the message is clear: healing is necessary, but it is not easy. It requires a willingness to confront the pain, to acknowledge the wounds, and to take bold steps toward a brighter future. The song ends with a stirring refrain calling out to all those who are hurting: "It's time to let the healing begin."


Line by Line Meaning

I've kept it inside much too long
I have been holding on to my troubles for too long, not expressing them to anyone.


There's no relief
I have not found any way or anyone to ease my pain.


Carry it around just like a stone
My troubles have become a heavy burden I carry around with me always.


Too heavy for me
The weight of my troubles is overwhelming and I can no longer bear it alone.


I have paid the price of standing
My decision to remain silent and not seek help has resulted in great suffering for me.


On the outside looking in
I have felt excluded and isolated from others because of the inability to express my problems.


It's time to let the healing begin
I have reached a point where I must let go of my pain and start the path of healing.


A boy is strung out he's going through hell
A young man is suffering greatly because of his addiction to drugs.


His mother weeps
The boy's mother is deeply saddened and troubled by her son's situation.


His spirit is broken and there's nothing left
The young man has lost all hope and motivation to keep going on.


Just a terrible need
The young man's addiction is driven by a deep, disturbing inner desperation.


And the days are marked by the heaviness of the heart
The days seem long and sorrowful because of the weight of the young man's problems.


It never mends
The pain and suffering seem to never heal or get better.


Until the healing begins
True relief and recovery can only come with a start to the healing process.


And the tension prowels the streets like an animal
The heavy, dangerous atmosphere of a troubled community weighs heavily on the people's minds.


The people stay behind their locks and chains
The people are afraid and keep themselves protected from the dangers around them.


It's a shame
It is sad and regrettable that the community cannot live in peace and harmony.


When so many are trying their best to live as one
Many members of the community are making an effort to unite and live in harmony together.


And the smoke from the fires covers up the sun
The troubles and conflicts in the community have become so intense that they blot out any hope and positivity.


A young girl is lying in the dirt
A young girl has died tragically, the victim of the violent conflict.


Her dreams ended there
The young girl's hopes, aspirations and potential have all been destroyed by this sudden and senseless death.


Caught in the crossfire on somebody's turf
The young girl was an innocent bystander of the violent altercation that took her life.


Hatred in the air
The violence and conflict in the community are driven by deep-seated hatred and intolerance.


It's a voice that never sings
The tragedy of the life lost is a reminder of the many lost voices and potential that will never be realized in the community.


A winter without the spring
The community is facing dark and hopeless times with little indication of positive change on the horizon.


Time to let the healing begin
It is finally time for the members of the community to unite, seek healing and start the process of positive change.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TONY JOE WHITE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@christophgstettenhofer8058

Lyrics:

I′ve kept it inside much too long
There's no relief
Carry it around just like a stone
Too heavy for me

I have paid the price

Of standing on the outside looking in

It′s time to let the healing begin

A boy is strung out he's going through hell
His mother weeps
His spirit is broken and there's nothing left
Just a terrible need


And the days are marked by the heaviness of the heart
It never mends
Until the healing begins

And the tension prowels the streets like an animal
The people stay behind their locks and chains
It′s a shame
When so many are trying their best to live as one
And the smoke from the fires covers up the sun

A young girl is lying in the dirt
Her dreams ended there
Caught in the crossfire on somebody′s turf
Hatred in the air

It's a voice that never sings
A winter without the spring
It never ends
It′s time to let the healing begin
It's time to let the healing begin



@conchiherves

Pero resultó ser todo falso
Se suponía que no hace daño a todos los
Pero los corazones se pueden romper para siempre

Deje que comience la sanaciónLas voces
El hacinamiento a mi alrededor
Las opciones
Me veo obligado a hacer
El poder
Que nunca tuve
La depresión
Que yo estoy en

Y todo lo que estaba destinado a ser grande
Pero resultó ser todo falso
Se suponía que no hace daño a todos los
Pero los corazones se pueden romper para siempre

El cansancio
Será siempre caen
Y el cable
Nunca llame al
Para el retiro
Cuando su nescessary
Latidos del corazón
Se detiene (parada)

Y todo lo que estaba destinado a ser grande
Pero resultó ser todo falso
Se suponía que no hace daño a todos los
Pero los corazones se pueden romper para siempre
Y siempre

Al final todos caen
Ni un alma se mantendrá
Todo el mundo se volverá a
Y al final
Todas las va a pagar por
Sus errores por descuido

Y todo lo que estaba destinado a ser grande
Pero resultó ser todo falso
Se suponía que no hace daño a todos los
Pero los corazones se pueden romper para siempre
Y todo lo que estaba destinado a ser grande



All comments from YouTube:

@Ultra-Luminary

For sure, it is time to let the healing begin...

@theressamurphy2996

The killing of the innocent should stop now. Her life is gone. You can't live or heal because of the hate you feel towards those responsible. Thank you, Joe💜

@bugsysofilas4866

Seen joe in concert at Perth entertainment centre in the eighties what a legend🎸

@user-ns9id8vq1x

Оди из моих любимых исполнителей

@papagiovanni9921

Underrated song, Joe is one of the best ever.

@user-ns9id8vq1x

Он зэ бэст

@fatimasoliznegrete4675

​@@user-ns9id8vq1x1:18

@blairhunt1424

@@user-ns9id8vq1x Do 8○~ -~€

@michaelthompson3381

Great delivery of a great song written by the late Tony Joe White. RIP Swampfox.

@darrenallen1404

Great song for internal therapy.what a legend...R.I.P.

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