While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Martin Luther McCoy Lyrics
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While my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know why nobody told you
How to unfold your love
I don't know how someone controlled you
I look at the world and I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know how you were diverted
You were perverted too
I don't know how you were inverted
No one alerted you
I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
Look at you all...
Still my guitar gently weeps
Martin Luther McCoy's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a poignant song that addresses the ways in which love can be stifled and suppressed by external forces. In the opening lines, he sings, "I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping/While my guitar gently weeps." Here, he is speaking to someone he cares about deeply and recognizes that there is love within them that is not being fully expressed, hence the sleeping metaphor. The guitar itself acts as a symbol for the power of love, and it gently weeps because it is mournful that this person is not fully living in and embracing their love.
As the song progresses, he sings, "I don't know why nobody told you/How to unfold your love/I don't know how someone controlled you/They bought and sold you." With these lines, he is addressing the societal and cultural factors that can prevent individuals from being fully and authentically themselves; people are often taught to suppress their emotions and conform to certain gender roles or societal norms. Additionally, McCoy speaks to forces of oppression, such as capitalism, that can act like puppet strings, forcing individuals to behave in certain ways and stripping them of their autonomy.
Overall, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a heartfelt and resonant song that seeks to speak to the pervasive violence and oppression that can prevent people from fully living in and expressing their love. The guitar itself is a powerful symbol for the transcendent quality of love, and McCoy urges listeners to recognize the many forms of oppression around them and do what they can to break free and embrace their authentic selves, and by extension their love.
Line by Line Meaning
I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
I observe all of you and see the potential for love within each of you that is not being expressed
While my guitar gently weeps
As I play my guitar, I express the emotions that are dwelling within me
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
I see the imperfection in my surroundings, but I am still preoccupied with expressing myself through music
Still my guitar gently weeps
Despite the other distractions in my environment, my music continues to convey my emotions
I don't know why nobody told you
I am perplexed as to why no one has given you advice in the past
How to unfold your love
Advice on how to express the love that is within you
I don't know how someone controlled you
I am unsure how someone has manipulated and dictated your actions
They bought and sold you
They have treated you not as a person, but as something to be traded and profited from
I look at the world and I notice it's turning
I observe the consistent changes and progressions of the world
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Mistakes can be a valuable source of knowledge and experience
Still my guitar gently weeps
Even as I recognize the lessons to be learned, my music continues to convey my emotions
I don't know how you were diverted
I am unsure how you have lost your focus and deviated from your original intentions
You were perverted too
Your actions and beliefs have become corrupted and distorted
I don't know how you were inverted
I am uncertain how you have been turned inside out, and are not able to express your true self
No one alerted you
Nobody has warned you or made you aware of these unhealthy changes
Look at you all...
I acknowledge and see all of you once again, with your unique experiences and struggles
Still my guitar gently weeps
Yet, even as I empathize with you, my music continues to convey my own emotions
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TwitchyEatsYourFace
This song is great in the beginning, but as soon as Jim starts singing with him, I get CHILLS every time. This is my favorite song from the movie <3
Alicia Dagry
Me too. I also like the part after that when Martin goes โYeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!โ
Kurdt Morris
The way he holds โwhyโ and โhowโ just blows me away. Beautiful vocals๐๐
dog mum
Words can't describe how much I love this version. The speed and the way it's sung is absolutely beautiful. (Both melancholy and sombre)
Zephammo
this song is so beautiful. I wanted him to sing more in the movie. His voice is so good
Machaiah Lillard
Same here!
spencer
@Machaiah Lillard it's not his song of was the Beatles
Machaiah Lillard
@spencer no I definitely got that
The Jokorian Channel
Lol yeah, it was obvious
Fred Kelley
One of my favorites