Schooldays
Led Zeppelin Lyrics


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Up in the mornin' and out to school
The teacher is teachin' the Golden Rule
American history and practical math
You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
And the guy behind you won't leave you alone

Ring, ring goes the bell
The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
You're lucky if you can find a seat
You're fortunate if you have time to eat
Back in the classroom, open your books
Keep up the teacher don't know how mean she looks

Soon as three o'clock rolls around
You finally lay your burden down
Close up your books, get outta your seat
Down the halls and into the street
Up to the corner and 'round the bend
Right to the juke joint, you go in

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go

Hail, hail rock and roll
Deliver me from the days of old
Long live rock and roll
The beat of the drums, loud and bold




Rock, rock, rock and roll
The feelin' is there, body and soul

Overall Meaning

The song "Schooldays" by Led Zeppelin features lyrics that are a reflection on the realities of American high school education. The lyrics describe the daily routine of a high school student, from waking up early in the morning to attend school, to struggling to keep up with the rigorous academic demands of their classes, dealing with difficult teachers and bullies, and running to the juke joint after school to find solace in music and dance.


Through these lyrics, the song is able to encapsulate the frustrations, hopes, and dreams of high school students in a way that is both universal and timeless. The chorus serves as a release from the stress and drudgery of high school as the singer finally finds release in the freedom of rock and roll - a theme that would later become emblematic of the entire era the song was released in.


Overall, "Schooldays" is a poignant and insightful reflection on the highs and lows of high school life, and how music served as a form of escape for many young people during this period of their lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Up in the mornin' and out to school
Starting your day early to attend school


The teacher is teachin' the Golden Rule
Learning about ethics and morality from the teacher


American history and practical math
Studying important subjects like history and math


You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
Working hard to pass exams and pass the grade


Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
Putting in a lot of effort and working hard in school


And the guy behind you won't leave you alone
Being bothered by someone behind you in class


Ring, ring goes the bell
The sound of the bell signifying a break or end of class


The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
The cafeteria worker is ready to serve food


You're lucky if you can find a seat
Feeling fortunate to find a place to sit in the lunchroom


You're fortunate if you have time to eat
Being grateful for having enough time to eat food during break


Back in the classroom, open your books
Resuming studying after the lunch break


Keep up the teacher don't know how mean she looks
The teacher might seem strict, but it's important to keep up with the lecture


Soon as three o'clock rolls around
Anticipating the end of school


You finally lay your burden down
Feeling relieved of the academic burden after school ends


Close up your books, get outta your seat
Putting away study materials and standing up to leave the classroom


Down the halls and into the street
Moving through the halls and leaving the school building


Up to the corner and 'round the bend
Walking up to a nearby street corner


Right to the juke joint, you go in
Going to a nearby establishment, likely a music venue or bar


Drop the coin right into the slot
Inserting a coin into a vending machine or jukebox


You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
Excited to hear some great music


With the one you love, you're makin' romance
Spending time with a significant other and enjoying their company


All day long you been wantin' to dance
Looking forward to dancing all day long


Feeling the music from head to toe
Feeling the music's effects throughout the body


Round and round and round we go
Dancing and enjoying the moment


Hail, hail rock and roll
Celebrating rock and roll music


Deliver me from the days of old
Being grateful for the current time period


Long live rock and roll
Hoping that rock and roll continues to exist and thrive


The beat of the drums, loud and bold
Feeling excited by the music's percussion instruments


Rock, rock, rock and roll
Reinforcing the song's focus on rock and roll music


The feelin' is there, body and soul
Experiencing the music's emotional and physical effects




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: WILL COBB, WILL D. COBB, GUS EDWARDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Led Zeppelin Rarities

RIP Chuck Berry!

Hotticket

Great find. Love hearing the guys doing a strict interpretation of a 3 minute Berry tune with the massive Zeppelin arsenal at hand. Like keeping a wild animal in an insufficient cage.

Jim Noriega

Thank you for the work that you're doing.  These are some of the best Led Zeppelin rarities I've ever heard.

Michael Bruns

Like wow and once again the awesome Led Zeppelin blows my friggin mind away.

PaRaDoX

Almighty Zeppelin ripping it up!Hail,Hail Rock and Roll-R I P Chuck

Whiteys Workshop

Excellent! R.I.P. Chuck Berry well done cover, nice find!!!!

chris hutt

Happy Birthday to Chuck Berry! Led Zep paying tribute to one of there core heroes!

Cal

This was during a rehearsal on July 6, 1973 at the Chicago auditorium for the bootleg LP Led Zepplin a tribute to Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.

Mike Duquesne

Best band ever

Jerry Petros

Jimmy's playing was spot on, if I had to wager it would've been `73

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