The Long and Winding Road
John Lennon Paul McCartney Lyrics


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The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to you door

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here?
Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone
And many times I've cried
Anyway you'll never know
The many ways I've tried

And still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago
Don't keep me waiting here




Lead me to your door
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The Long and Winding Road is a poignant ballad about love, heartbreak, and longing. The song starts with the title describing a path that leads to a door that the singer is trying to find. The road is long and winding, suggesting that it has been a difficult journey. The singer indicates that they have been on this road before, and it always leads them to the same place: the door of the person they love. The first verse suggests that the singer is at the door again, and they need a way inside.


The second verse describes a bad stormy night that has washed away the singer's tears. They are crying for the day, suggesting that they are waiting for something or someone. The singer is unhappy about being left standing outside, and they want the person they love to lead them to the door. The third verse describes the many times the singer has been alone and cried. They have tried many ways to make the relationship work, but nothing seems to work. The chorus repeats, suggesting that the singer keeps coming back to the same place and wanting the same thing.


In essence, the song is about the universal cycle of love and heartbreak. The singer is willing to keep trying, keep coming back, keep standing outside in the rain, as long as there is a chance that they can be led to the door and find the love they seek. It is a beautiful and melancholy song that captures the feeling of waiting outside someone's door, hoping for a chance to be let in.


Line by Line Meaning

The long and winding road
Life is often complicated and full of twists and turns.


That leads to your door
The road is a metaphor for the journey to finding love and companionship.


Will never disappear
The path to finding love is always present, even if it seems distant at times.


I've seen that road before
The singer has experienced this journey before, but each time it is different and brings new challenges.


It always leads me here
Despite the obstacles, the road always brings the singer to the doorstep of his loved one.


Lead me to your door
The singer is asking his loved one to show him the way to their heart.


The wild and windy night
The turbulence of love and relationships can be intense and overwhelming.


That the rain washed away
The struggles and pain of the past have been let go and washed away.


Has left a pool of tears
The hurt that was experienced has left a lasting, emotional impact.


Crying for the day
The singer longs for the day when he and his loved one can be together again.


Why leave me standing here?
The singer wonders why his loved one has left him alone and waiting for so long.


Let me know the way
The singer is asking for direction and guidance from his loved one to find their way back to each other.


Many times I've been alone
The singer has been through many periods of isolation and loneliness.


And many times I've cried
The singer has shed many tears over the pain of being apart from his loved one.


Anyway you'll never know
Despite the efforts to convey his feelings, the singer's loved one may never truly understand the depth of his love and longing.


The many ways I've tried
The singer has tried everything he can think of to find his way back to his loved one.


And still they lead me back
No matter where the journey takes him, the singer is always drawn back to the path towards his loved one.


To the long winding road
The journey to love and companionship may take many unexpected turns and twists.


You left me standing here
The singer's loved one has left him feeling alone and abandoned for a long time.


A long long time ago
The pain and heartbreak of being apart from his loved one has felt like an eternity.


Don't leave me waiting here
The singer is begging his loved one not to leave him alone and longing for their connection any longer.


Don't keep me waiting here
The singer is desperately pleading for his loved one to return to him and reunite their love.


Lead me to your door
The singer is requesting guidance and help from his loved one to find their way back to each other.


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
An expression of the singer's profound longing and repeated pleas for attention.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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