Zephyr
Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics


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I don't know nothing, nothing today
Whether to leave or to stay
'Cause underneath sorrow, underneath fear
There's nothing that's keeping me here

'Cause I'm a zephyr on the inside
And it's a hard ride when you feel yourself tied down
Hide-and-earth bound
But there's no tether, on a zephyr

I tried to be constant just like a star
I tried to be steady and yar
But the storms keep breaking over my head
I'm aching for blue skies instead

'Cause I'm a zephyr on the inside
And it's a hard ride when you feel your heart tied down
Hide-and-earth bound
But there's no tether
I'm a zephyr

All of the wings I've ridden back home to you
All the things I've given I've wanted to
All that you see has always belonged to you
Except for the wind:

Forever and after, that's if we're charmed
You've got to hold on with more than these arms
Because love is all there is and time is just sand
And I might just slip through your hands

'Cause I'm a zephyr on the inside
And it's a hard ride when you feel your life tied down
Hide-and-earth bound but there's no tether
I'm a zephyr on the inside
And it's a hard ride when you feel yourself tied down




Hide-and-earth bound but there's no tether
On a zephyr

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mary Chapin Carpenter's song Zephyr speak to the idea of being trapped or tied down both physically and emotionally. The opening lines convey a feeling of indecision, of not knowing whether to stay or go. The verses speak of trying to be steady and constant, but being constantly buffeted by storms and longing for freedom. The chorus emphasizes the singer's sense of being a zephyr or breeze on the inside, always in motion and never tethered down.


The imagery of being a zephyr on the inside speaks to a desire for freedom and escape, both from external circumstances and from one's own emotional struggles. The image of slipping through someone's hands suggests a fear of being caught and trapped, of losing that freedom. The final lines of the song, "On a zephyr", suggest a sense of acceptance of this freedom and the idea that it is something to be cherished and celebrated.


Overall, Zephyr is a song about the struggle for independence and the desire to break free of constraints, both external and internal. It is a song that speaks to anyone who has felt trapped, tied down, or suffocated by their circumstances, and who longs for the freedom to become a zephyr on the inside.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know nothing, nothing today
I am unaware of anything today


Whether to leave or to stay
I am unsure if I should stay or go


'Cause underneath sorrow, underneath fear
Beneath my sadness and fear


There's nothing that's keeping me here
There is nothing holding me back


'Cause I'm a zephyr on the inside
Because I am a gentle breeze within


And it's a hard ride when you feel yourself tied down
It's challenging to feel restrained


Hide-and-earth bound
Stuck to the ground


But there's no tether, on a zephyr
But a gentle breeze has no bounds


I tried to be constant just like a star
I attempted to be unwavering like a star


I tried to be steady and yar
I attempted to be stable and reliable


But the storms keep breaking over my head
But difficulties keep overwhelming me


I'm aching for blue skies instead
I desire clearer, happier times


'Cause I'm a zephyr on the inside
Because I am a gentle breeze within


And it's a hard ride when you feel your heart tied down
It's difficult to experience emotional restriction


All of the wings I've ridden back home to you
Every effort I have made to return to you


All the things I've given I've wanted to
All the gifts I have given to you, I wanted to


All that you see has always belonged to you
Everything you perceive has always been yours


Except for the wind:
Except for the gentle breeze


Forever and after, that's if we're charmed
If we are lucky, forever and thereafter


You've got to hold on with more than these arms
You must hold on with more than just your physical arms


Because love is all there is and time is just sand
Love is the most important thing and time is fleeting


And I might just slip through your hands
I may escape your grasp


'Cause I'm a zephyr on the inside
Because I am a gentle breeze within


And it's a hard ride when you feel your life tied down
It is tough to feel trapped in one's own life


Hide-and-earth bound but there's no tether
Stuck to the ground but with no limit


I'm a zephyr on the inside
I am a gentle breeze within


And it's a hard ride when you feel yourself tied down
It's hard to experience restraint


Hide-and-earth bound but there's no tether
Stuck to the ground but with no limit


On a zephyr
On a gentle breeze




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music
Written by: MARY CARPENTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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