Four Strong Winds
LIVING ROOM - Neil Young Lyrics
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I got some friends that I could go to working for
Still I wish you'd change your mind,
If I asked you one more time
But we've been through this a hundred times or more
Four strong winds that blow lonely, seven seas that run high
All those things that don't change, come what may
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.
If I get there before the snow flies, and if things are looking good
You could meet me if I sent you down the fare
But by then it would be winter, not too much for you to do
And those winds sure can blow cold way out there
Four strong winds that blow lonely, seven seas that run high
All those things that don't change, come what may
If the good times are all gone, so I'm bound for moving on
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.
Still I wish you'd change your mind,
If I asked you one more time
But we've been through that a hundred times or more
Four strong winds that blow lonely, seven seas that run high
All those things that don't change, come what may
If the good times are all gone, and I'm bound for moving on
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.
I'll look for you if I'm ever pass this way
Neil Young's "Four Strong Winds" is a melancholic song about a man who is contemplating leaving his lover and travelling to Alberta, Canada. While he is eager to go because the seasonal weather is lovely, he is still sad and wishes his lover would reconsider. These two individuals have discussed parting ways before, and she has refused to change her mind.
The lyrics effectively convey the contrasting emotions at play here. The singer has his mind made up to leave, yet he still loves his partner and wishes she would alter her mind. The recurring phrase "four strong winds that blow lonely, seven seas that run high" is an indication that the man will be very lonely and that the prospect of meeting someone new will be challenging. Nonetheless, his sense of wanderlust is inseparable from who he is, and the end of the relationship is the sacrifice he is prepared to make.
Overall, "Four Strong Winds" is a beautiful piece of music that evokes feelings of nostalgia and homesickness. Neil Young's voice is pure and beautiful, and it resonates with the listener, making them feel the emotions he expresses in the song. Furthermore, the lyrics have aged well, and the melody is timeless. The song's longevity is a testament to the writer's ability to capture the human condition and create timeless art.
Line by Line Meaning
Think I'll go out to Alberta, weather's good there in the fall
I am considering going to Alberta where the weather is good during the fall season
I got some friends that I could go to working for
I have friends in Alberta who I might be able to work for
Still I wish you'd change your mind, If I asked you one more time But we've been through this a hundred times or more
I still have hope that you will reconsider your decision, but we have already had this conversation many times
Four strong winds that blow lonely, seven seas that run high All those things that don't change, come what may
There are four winds that blow with loneliness and seven seas that are always high, these things are constant
If the good times are all gone, and I'm bound for moving on I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.
If I leave because the good times are gone, I will look for you if I ever return to this place
If I get there before the snow flies, and if things are looking good You could meet me if I sent you down the fare But by then it would be winter, not too much for you to do And those winds sure can blow cold way out there
If I arrive before the snow begins to fall, and if everything looks good, you could come meet me if I send the money for your trip. But by then it will be winter, and there will not be much for you to do. The winds out there can be very cold
Still I wish you'd change your mind, If I asked you one more time But we've been through that a hundred times or more
I still have hope that you will change your mind, but we have already discussed this many times
Four strong winds that blow lonely, seven seas that run high All those things that don't change, come what may
There are four winds that blow with loneliness and seven seas that are always high, these things are constant
If the good times are all gone, so I'm bound for moving on I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.
If I leave because the good times are gone, I will look for you if I ever return to this place
I'll look for you if I'm ever pass this way
If I ever come by this way again, I will look for you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ian Tyson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind