Falling Down
Linda Ronstadt Emmylou Harris Lyrics


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I'm falling down
I need to sleep
Come a long long way
No time for weepin
No time for weepin
Quiet now I'm falling down
I'm falling down
I have heard
A million tales
I have told
A million more
Some of them
Must have been true
But I don't know anymore
I'm falling down
Do your dance on my head
Heavy steps of the dead
Everything the snow surrounds
Falling, falling, falling, falling




Falling, falling down
I'm falling down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris's song "Falling Down" are open to interpretation, but one possible explanation is that the singer is feeling overwhelmed and exhausted from their life experiences. The phrase "I'm falling down" could mean that they feel like they are losing control or about to collapse. They express the need for rest and sleep, acknowledging that they have come a long way and don't have time to dwell on their past experiences. The phrase "no time for weepin" suggests that they are trying to be strong and keep moving forward.


The next lines suggest that the singer has heard and told many stories throughout their life, but they are not sure what is true anymore. This could mean that they have lost their sense of self or that they feel like they have been deceived by others. They then use the phrase "do your dance on my head, heavy steps of the dead" to describe the weight of their thoughts and emotions. Lastly, they use the repetition of "falling" to emphasize their sense of falling or losing control. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of weariness and confusion, as well as the need for rest and solace.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm falling down
The singer is in a state of decline or descent.


I need to sleep
The singer is tired and requires rest.


Come a long long way
The singer has traveled a great distance.


No time for weepin
The artist has no time to cry or wallow in sadness.


No time for weepin
The artist has no time to cry or wallow in sadness.


Quiet now I'm falling down
The singer is quietly and passively accepting of their decline.


I'm falling down
The singer reiterates their current state of decline.


I have heard
The artist has listened to and learned from many stories.


A million tales
The artist has heard countless stories.


I have told
The artist has shared their own stories.


A million more
The singer has told countless stories.


Some of them
The artist acknowledges that at least some of their stories were true.


Must have been true
The singer believes that some of their stories had validity.


But I don't know anymore
The singer's past and the truth of their stories are now uncertain.


I'm falling down
The singer again indicates their current state of decline.


Do your dance on my head
The artist feels as though they are being trampled on or taken advantage of.


Heavy steps of the dead
The weight of past traumas or conflicts still influences the artist.


Everything the snow surrounds
The difficult circumstances the singer faces are pervasive in every aspect of their life.


Falling, falling, falling, falling
The singer continues to descend, perhaps into despair or hopelessness.


Falling, falling down
The artist reiterates their current state of decline.


I'm falling down
The artist repeats their current state once more to emphasize their distress.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@adriancanales3050

Excellent duet package from two amazing Singers! There IS a GOD!😎

@flydiegofly

Emmylou and Linda singing a Patty Griffin song. It can't get better then that.

@gtorjoepontiac5136

Linda, fallin for you

@tjwash5118

My favorite song from this great album. Linda’s vocals weren’t pristine but the layering of instruments and harmony vocals made for a dramatic crescendo

@lnl3237

TJ Wash Sending this along to you just in case it never popped up on your YouTube recommendations.
https://youtu.be/xgdYcg_3UeQ

@johnnymfan5065

This album only had Linda singing lead on 3 songs. I was disappointed.

@richseliga844

I know Johnny. Both Ladies had health issues. guess I should have followed earlier

@tjwash5118

She actually sang lead on 5 songs and shared the lead vocals (alternating verses with Emmylou) on three songs.

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