Lay Down/Candles in the Rain
Melanie & The Edwin Hawkins Singers Lyrics


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[Chorus]
Lay down lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the
Ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down, let it all down
Let your white birds smile up at the
Ones who stand and frown
We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside each others wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace

[Chorus]

So raise the candles high cause if you
Don't we could stay black against the night
Oh raise them higher again and if you
Do we could stay dry against the rain

[Chorus]

We were so close, there was no room
We bled inside each others wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace
Some came to sing, some came to pray
Some came to keep the dark away

So raise the candles high
Cause if you don't we could stay
Black against the sky
Oh oh raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "Lay Down" by Melanie & Edwin Hawkins Singers speaks about the need to let go of our worries and fears, to lay them down and look up at the white birds that smile at us. It reminds us that we all carry scars and have been hurt in some way, but if we come together and sing the songs of peace, we can heal and find hope. The song emphasizes the importance of raising candles high in the darkening night, so we can find a way through the darkness.


The first verse of the song reflects on the intimacy of relationships; we were so close, there was no room, and we bled inside each other's wounds. This line of the song conveys the message that we are all capable of hurting each other and causing pain, but we can also heal each other's wounds when we come together. The chorus emphasizes that we need to let go of our worries and look up at the white birds that smile at us, even though others may be standing and frowning.


The second verse reflects on the power of music in bringing people together. The lyrics reveal that we have all caught the same disease and that we have all sung songs of peace. The last section of the song reveals that people come together for different reasons, some come to sing, some come to pray, while others come to keep the darkness away.


Line by Line Meaning

Lay down lay down, let it all down
Take a moment to be vulnerable and release all of your worries and fears.


Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Allow yourself to be happy and free from judgment, even in the presence of those who disapprove.


We were so close, there was no room
We were physically and emotionally intertwined, with little space for anything else.


We bled inside each others wounds
Our struggles were so intertwined that we shared each other's pain and suffering.


We all had caught the same disease
We were all affected by a common problem or issue.


And we all sang the songs of peace
Despite our struggles, we found solace in coming together and promoting peace.


So raise the candles high cause if you don't we could stay black against the night
We must strive to bring light and hope to our darkest moments, or risk being consumed by them.


Oh raise them higher again and if you do we could stay dry against the rain
By continuing to promote positivity and hope, we can protect ourselves from the storms of life.


Some came to sing, some came to pray, some came to keep the dark away
People come together for different reasons, but ultimately for a shared purpose of promoting goodness and light.


Let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
Again, it is important to find happiness and joy even in the face of disapproval or negativity.


Lay down lay down, let it all down
This is reiterated, emphasizing the importance of taking a moment to release stress and worries.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OBIE TRICE, MARSHALL B. III MATHERS, LUIS EDGARDO RESTO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@ablebaker8664

@Frederick Minshall
When I found this version still existed I spent some time searching for it a couple of years ago.

I sat and listened to it a dozen times and just let my tears flow.
One of the few times I've cried in my life.
Guys start out in life being expected not to, even after seeing such horrible things as some of us have been forced to see. We're the ones who have to be tough and never show weakness, or how much it hurts to see others in pain and be unable to help in any way that could really be said to matter.

Hearing it again was like feeling all that poison wash away. I don't think I've ever cried harder or longer before or since.

I come back from time to time when I need to remember some of the most important moments of my life and reaffirm my faith in the beauty of the human spirit.

There is freedom in this song.
Not a freedom from chains or bars but a freedom from the darkness of spirit that is the only real prison.



@blondwiththewind

When Life comes crashing down around me (and especially when the cause of that is due to the hate and meanness of People).....I play my PEACE & LOVE songs from the sixties and seventies. Sometimes I have to play them ((( REALLY LOUD ))) through my big-ass seventies speakers that make the windows pulse......and sing along.......or maybe even sing them alone.

Soon I have become calm again.......and I have avoided letting my head and heart go in the direction of hate.

PEACE & LOVE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD IDEA........ IT STILL IS.

Some days you just have to WORK at it a little harder.

Peace & Love
~~RED ☮♡♫

.



All comments from YouTube:

@queersobercurious3222

I lifted the needle on the album and returned it to the groove to play this song over and over when I was a young, bullied, queer kid in the suburbs in the early 70's. I didn't understand why this song moved me so much, but I was enchanted. And it was medicine. You never know who you are going to touch and heal when you create art from a loving source. Thank you Melanie for your voice and creativity. Rest in power and peace.

@bgfd1

Really relate with what you said. I was a queer teenager in the 1970’s (in the UK )and when ever I got scared or ‘down' I would play this track and really did help. Loved your comment.

@erikwesterberg7220

I so relate, even as as a queer kid bound for seminary, with very few, mostly straight relationships in the 70-ties

@robertbrittenham5475

Rest peacefully, Melanie. Thank you for all of your beautiful music. We we be listening for ages to come.

@imy5279

Beautiful people. I ❤️ Melanie! RIP Melanie

@robinmccay2211

If there is a Hereafter, Angels will always be singing this song, accompanying Melanie, a great and lovely spirit of my generation. May the candle of her soul burn into eternity.

@TheRarebird12

@@robinmccay2211 Amen!

@adelejacob6699

RIP❤

@docas1965

when i heard her death i was in my job and it was shock really.... Very sad news......

1 More Replies...

@richardhathaway4406

RIP Melanie Loved the music in the 70's and still do in 2024.

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