Sweet Surrender
John Denver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Traveled by many, remembered by few
Lookin' for something that I can believe in
Lookin' for something that I'd like to do with my life
There's nothin' behind me and nothin' that ties me to
Something that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open, right now it seems to be more than enough
What the future is holdin' in store
I don't know where I'm goin' I'm not sure where I've been
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin', I don't need to see the end
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Traveled by many, remembered by few
Lookin' for something that I can believe in
Lookin' for something that I'd like to do with my life
There's nothin' behind me and nothin' that ties me to
Something that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open, right now it seems to be more than enough
Just be here today, and I don't know
What the future is holdin' in store
I don't know where I'm goin' I'm not sure where I've been
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin', I don't need to see the end
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
In "Sweet Surrender," John Denver discusses the feeling of being lost and alone on a deserted highway that many have traveled, but few have remembered. He wants to find something to believe in and something he would like to do with his life. He says that there is nothing behind him and nothing that ties him to a past that may have been true yesterday. The future is open, and it is enough to just be in the present.
Denver admits he doesn't know what the future holds for him, nor does he know where exactly he is headed. Nonetheless, he believes in a higher power that directs him and a light that shines for him. For him, life is worth living, regardless of whether or not he knows what lies ahead.
The repeated phrase "sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care" suggests that Denver has accepted his current state of mind and is willing to surrender to the universe's unpredictable nature. He likens his outlook to that of a fish in water or a bird in the air, living freely without concern.
One interesting fact about this song is that it comes from Denver's 1974 album "Back Home Again," which peaked at #1 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The song was never released as a single but remains a popular track among Denver's fans.
Another interesting fact is that Denver wrote the song while in England, which is also where he recorded it. The recording session included a 16-piece string section and a 10-piece horn section.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Feeling isolated and unsure of the path to take in life
Traveled by many, remembered by few
Walking the same road as others, but not leaving a lasting impact on society
Lookin' for something that I can believe in
Searching for a purpose or meaning to give direction in life
Lookin' for something that I'd like to do with my life
On a quest to find a passion or goal to pursue in life
There's nothin' behind me and nothin' that ties me to
Having a blank slate without any past achievements or obligations
Something that might have been true yesterday
Acknowledging that the past is gone and should not hold onto one's life
Tomorrow is open, right now it seems to be more than enough
Living in the present moment as the future is uncertain
To just be here today, and I don't know
Being content with the unknown and embracing the present
What the future is holdin' in store
Uncertainty about what the future holds
I don't know where I'm goin' I'm not sure where I've been
Feeling lost or unsure of one's direction in life
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
Having faith or hope that guides and motivates one's journey in life
My life is worth the livin', I don't need to see the end
Believing that life is worth living and enjoying the journey rather than focusing solely on the destination
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Letting go of worry and anxiety, and embracing a carefree lifestyle
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Finding freedom and joy in the present moment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN DENVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cindy
This song defines the early 70’s spirit better than any song I’ve ever heard. Lost and alone on some forgotten highway, traveled by many, remembered by few describes how we felt in 1974 when we somehow sensed that the spirit of that age was leaving us. Indeed, few remember how it actually was. In the early seventies, the whole world vibrated at a higher frequency than it does now. Few people were aware of when it changed. No one talked about it but a lot of us felt it. Today more and more people are seeking to raise their spiritual vibrations but I wonder if the Earth will ever again vibrate to the energy that was present in that era. Lots of us remember that time, but how many of us remember the energy of those days? How many of us still try to live that energy? I was eleven years old when this song came out but it deeply affected me even then. I wanted to be a hippie-flower child when I grew up but by the time I was an adult it was the disco era. What a disappointment! Still, there is a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me. Right now it seems more than enough to just be here today.
Ben - Moderator
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J Parker
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Anne M
I've loved Denver from when he 1st started in the early 70s and I was a teen..every song of his has meaning and Sweet Surrender is what I want played@ my cremation..I named my son Matthew after his song of the same name..there will never be a time of innocence wonder and good will to others as we experienced in the 70s..seeing him in concert @MSG was the happiest moment of my life and I miss you dear sweet soul..
Bethy Mears
The children show called
The never ending story,saved me as well.
Every person who has suffered needs to watch it.
The horse that drowned in the swamp of sorrow and gave up .lol
There are something's that are good for your soul.
And the never ending story
Is one of them.
If you are so overwhelmed by grief pain and suffering.
I ask you to watch it.❤️
U S VETERAN
Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Traveled by many, remembered by few
Lookin' for something that I can believe in
Lookin' for something that I'd like to do with my life
There's nothin' behind me and nothin' that ties me to
Something that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open, right now it seems to be more than enough
To just be here today, and I don't know
What the future is holdin' in store
I don't know where I'm goin' I'm not sure where I've been
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin', I don't need to see the end
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Traveled by many, remembered by few
Lookin' for something that I can believe in
Lookin' for something that I'd like to do with my life
There's nothin' behind me and nothin' that ties me to
Something that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open, right now it seems to be more than enough
Just be here today, and I don't know
What the future is holdin' in store
I don't know where I'm goin' I'm not sure where I've been
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin', I don't need to see the end
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Like a fish in the water, like a bird in the air
Sweet, sweet surrender, live, live without care
Peggy L
What a time it was, when you could turn on the radio and hear things like this......
Robert R.
Indeed, and now we turn on the radio, all we normally hear is wickedness.
kevin johnson
Well for sure not today oh how i miss the 70s and enjoying life and this music
Jacob Vasu
What a time it is, when you can go to youtube and listen to songs such as this at anytime you please instead of waiting for it to turn up on the radio
cooldog60
@Robert R. I never turn it on or watch trash on tv.
didier champel
Yes..those heart warming days are almost gone..very sad