Beautiful Strangers
Kevin Morby Lyrics


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If you ever hear that thunder, put your eye to the sky, boy, and wonder
Maybe there's a kingdom above the weather
Oh, and whether you're gonna get our name is up to him

If you ever hear that crying in the distance like some siren
Maybe there's a singer with no ring around their little finger, no love
And If I lose my voice
If I have no choice but to go quiet
Won't you sing for me a melody into the night there
Well, if I die too young, if the wolf he comes
Fee-fi-fo-fum
If I die too young, oh, if the locust come
Well then, run, run, run
Free

If you ever hear that gunshot, you may think 'bout what you do but you don't got
Say a prayer, think of mother, I am a rock

If you ever hear that sound now
If the door gets kicked in here, they come now
Think of others, be their cover
I am what they're not

Pray for Paris
They cannot scare us
Or stop the music
You got a sweet voice, child
Why don't you use it?
If I die too young, if the gunmen come, I'm full of love
So release me, every piece of me, up above
(Up above)

Love my mama and my papa
Love my sister, can't stand the coppers up in their choppers
Oh, flying overhead, forty-nine dead
Singing, oh, my Lord, come carry me home
Oh, my Lord, come carry me home
I'm singing oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my Lord

And if I die too young for something I ain't done
Carry my name every day
Oh, I'm sorry
Oh, I'm sorry
Freddie Gray
But sleep easy like baby Jesus in a manger
Oh, sleep easy like little Jesus, beautiful stranger
Oh, beautiful stranger

If I die too young, let all that I've done be remembered
And I'll sleep easy like baby Jesus in his manger
And I'll sleep easy like little Jesus, safe from danger
Carry onward like some songbird, beautiful stranger




Carry onward like some songbird, beautiful stranger
Oh, beautiful stranger

Overall Meaning

"Beautiful Strangers" by Kevin Morby is a powerful song of hope and resilience. The song is addressed to a young boy, whom the singer advises to pay attention to his surroundings and ponder on the sounds that he hears. The song explores themes of mortality and social issues such as gun violence and police brutality. When the singer talks about the sound of crying in the distance or the gunshot, he suggests that there are people out there who need help, and that he is willing to lend a hand. He also speaks to the inevitability of death, and the importance of using one's voice to convey love and beauty to the world. The final verse, which references Freddie Gray, a young black man who died in police custody in 2015, is a call to action for listeners to remember the names and stories of those who suffered injustices.


The themes of the song are underscored by Morby's introspective vocals and simple, yet powerful instrumentation. The song has a folk-like quality which adds to the intimate and personal nature of the lyrics. The repetition of the phrase "Oh, my Lord" throughout the song serves as a refrain that emphasizes the singer's faith and connection to a higher power.


Overall, "Beautiful Strangers" is a poignant and timely song that encourages empathy and compassion for others, and urges everyone to use their voice for good.


Line by Line Meaning

If you ever hear that thunder, put your eye to the sky, boy, and wonder
If you experience something powerful, look up and question if there is a greater force at work.


Maybe there's a kingdom above the weather
Perhaps there is a world beyond our visible reality.


Oh, and whether you're gonna get our name is up to him
The decision of whether we will be recognized or remembered is not up to us.


If you ever hear that crying in the distance like some siren
If you hear a sound of pain coming from afar,


Maybe there's a singer with no ring around their little finger, no love
There may be someone with a broken heart singing out of sorrow.


And If I lose my voice
If I am unable to speak,


If I have no choice but to go quiet
If I must remain silent,


Won't you sing for me a melody into the night there
Will you please sing for me a lullaby to soothe me in the dark?


Well, if I die too young, if the wolf he comes
If I die before my time, if death arrives suddenly,


Fee-fi-fo-fum
Death may come in a frightening and unpredictable way.


If I die too young, oh, if the locust come
If my life is cut short, if disaster strikes and ruins everything I have,


Well then, run, run, run
Then, flee from danger with everything you have.


Free
Be unencumbered by fear and live as freely as possible.


If you ever hear that gunshot, you may think 'bout what you do but you don't got
Upon hearing a sudden, violent noise, you may pause and consider your actions, but ultimately, you may not have a choice.


Say a prayer, think of mother, I am a rock
Take a moment to pray and think of your loved ones, while I remain steadfast and strong.


If you ever hear that sound now
If you hear that noise again,


If the door gets kicked in here, they come now
If someone breaks into this room, if they come to do harm,


Think of others, be their cover
Protect others from danger, and defend them at all costs.


I am what they're not
I am the opposite of the ones who would do us harm.


Pray for Paris
Think of the people affected by the tragedy in Paris, and pray for them.


They cannot scare us
We will not be afraid of them.


Or stop the music
We will not let them silence the beauty around us.


You got a sweet voice, child
You have a gentle and kind spirit.


Why don't you use it?
Why not share your love and kindness with others?


If I die too young, if the gunmen come, I'm full of love
Even in the midst of violence and hatred, I am filled with love.


So release me, every piece of me, up above
Let my soul and essence be free, and rise above the earthly realm.


Love my mama and my papa
I care deeply for my family.


Love my sister, can't stand the coppers up in their choppers
I have affection for my sibling, but I despise the police helicopters that signify surveillance and danger.


Oh, flying overhead, forty-nine dead
The sound of helicopters in the sky is a reminder of the tragedy of 49 people dying.


Singing, oh, my Lord, come carry me home
Crying out for divine intervention and strength.


I'm singing oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Praying and calling out for help.


Oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Continuing to call out for divine assistance.


And if I die too young for something I ain't done
If I die before I could make a difference or achieve my goals,


Carry my name every day
Let my memory and legacy live on.


Oh, I'm sorry
I am filled with regret.


Freddie Gray
A reference to the young black man killed in police custody in Baltimore.


But sleep easy like baby Jesus in a manger
Rest in peace like the baby Jesus who is safe and protected.


Oh, sleep easy like little Jesus, beautiful stranger
May you find peace and safety even though you are unknown to me.


If I die too young, let all that I've done be remembered
If I die too soon, let people remember the love and kindness I have shared.


And I'll sleep easy like baby Jesus in his manger
I will rest peacefully like an innocent child.


And I'll sleep easy like little Jesus, safe from danger
May I find safety and comfort like the baby Jesus.


Carry onward like some songbird, beautiful stranger
Continue to live on like a beautiful unknown bird.


Carry onward like some songbird, beautiful stranger
Continue to live on like a beautiful unknown bird.


Oh, beautiful stranger
May we appreciate and care for the unknown beauty around us.




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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@CiliaCe

LYRICS

If you ever hear that thunder
Put your eye to the sky, boy, and wonder
Maybe there's a kingdom above the weather
Oh, and whether you're gonna get our name is up to him
If you ever hear that crying
In the distance like some siren
Maybe there's a singer
With no ring around their little finger
No love
And If I lose my voice
If I have no choice but to go quiet
Won't you sing for me a melody into the night there
Well, if I die too young, if the wolf he comes
Fee-fi-fo-fum
If I die too young, oh, if the locust come
Well then, run, run, run
Free
If you ever hear that gunshot
You may think 'bout what you do but you don't got
Say a prayer, think of mother, I am a rock
If you ever hear that sound now
If the door gets kicked in here, they come now
Think of others, be their cover
I am what they're not
Pray for Paris
They can not scare us
Or stop the music
Your sweet voice, child
Why don't you use it?
If I die too young, or the gunmen come, I'm full of love
So release me, every piece of me, up above
(Up above, ooh ooh ooh)
Love my mama and my papa
Love my sister, can't stand the coppers up in their choppers
Oh, flying overhead, forty-nine dead
Singing, oh, my Lord, come carry me home
Oh, my Lord, come carry me home
I'm singing oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my Lord
And if I die too young for something I ain't done
Carry my name every day
Oh, I'm sorry
Oh, I'm sorry
Freddie Gray
But sleep easy like baby Jesus in a manger
Oh, sleep easy like little Jesus, beautiful stranger
Oh, beautiful stranger
If I die too young, let all that I've done be remembered
And I'll sleep easy like baby Jesus in his manger
And I'll sleep easy like little Jesus, safe from danger
Carry onward, like some songbird, beautiful stranger
Carry onward, like some songbird, beautiful stranger
Oh, beautiful stranger



@dianarainha2248

If you ever hear that thunder
Put your eye to the sky, boy, and wonder
Maybe there's a kingdom above the weather
Oh, and whether you're gonna get our name is up to him
If you ever hear that crying
In the distance like some siren
Maybe there's a singer
With no ring around their little finger
No love
And If I lose my voice
If I have no choice but to go quiet
Won't you sing for me a melody into the night there
Well, if I die too young, if the wolf he comes
Fee-fi-fo-fum
If I die too young, oh, if the locust come
Well then, run, run, run
Free
If you ever hear that gunshot
You may think 'bout what you do but you don't got
Say a prayer, think of mother, I am a rock
If you ever hear that sound now
If the door gets kicked in here, they come now
Think of others, be their cover
I am what they're not
Pray for Paris
They can not scare us
Or stop the music
Your sweet voice, child
Why don't you use it?
If I die too young, or the gunmen come, I'm full of love
So release me, every piece of me, up above
(Up above, ooh ooh ooh)
Love my mama and my papa
Love my sister, can't stand the coppers up in their choppers
Oh, flying overhead, forty-nine dead
Singing, oh, my Lord, come carry me home
Oh, my Lord, come carry me home
I'm singing oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my God, oh, my Lord
Oh, my Lord
And if I die too young for something I ain't done
Carry my name every day
Oh, I'm sorry
Oh, I'm sorry
Freddie Gray
But sleep easy like baby Jesus in a manger
Oh, sleep easy like little Jesus, beautiful stranger
Oh, beautiful stranger
If I die too young, let all that I've done be remembered
And I'll sleep easy like baby Jesus in his manger
And I'll sleep easy like little Jesus, safe from danger
Carry onward, like some songbird, beautiful stranger
Carry onward, like some songbird, beautiful stranger
Oh, beautiful stranger



All comments from YouTube:

@alanhand6178

To all you beautiful strangers just finding this song...congratulations

@jackiewarnwer

Thank you. I'm getting the lovely vibe 🙋

@alanhand6178

@@jackiewarnwer top tune this one jackie

@jackiewarnwer

Indeed.. were would we be without music and that beautiful voice and words?.

@alanhand6178

@@jackiewarnwer it's got it all for me that tune Jackie . happiness sadness love hate.balances my ears if you know what I mean.happy Xmas by the way.

@jackiewarnwer

Merry Christmas from Wales.

1 More Replies...

@patriciamartinez5836

My dear friend just passed from cancer at 40. His third bout with it. His body couldn’t do chemo anymore. I watched this with him before he passed and he loved it. He was the musical director for his church. Thank you for posting this so I could I could share it with him. 💜💜⭐️⭐️

@Docentino1914

Bless Your Heart! PS My first GF was a Patricia. You're all Lovely!
Send our love to your dead Friend! From Poland.
Ed: Sorry for Your loss. Pardon me please for being a bit facetious here. May Your Friend rest in peace.

@C21H30O2

God gave us music. He's truly in heaven.

@ShoJ369

I'm so very sorry for your loss, It's hard to know what to say when someone dies, ( especially anyone young ). I hope your friend is Resting in peace, safe in the arms of Jesus 🙏.

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