Across The Universe
Morpho Eugenia/John Selway Lyrics

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Words are flowing out like
Endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe.
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
Are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me.

Jai Guru Deva. Om

Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world

Images of broken light, which
Dance before me like a million eyes,
They call me on and on across the universe.
Thoughts meander like a
Restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe.

Jai Guru Deva. Om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world

Sounds of laughter, shades of life
Are ringing through my opened ears
Inciting and inviting me.
Limitless undying love, which
Shines around me like a million suns,
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai Guru Deva.
Jai Guru Deva.
Jai Guru Deva.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world

Overall Meaning

In "Across the Universe," Morpho Eugenia/John Selway beautifully evokes a sense of the endlessness of time and the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. The opening lines of the song are a metaphor for how words, much like rain, can be never-ending and sometimes uncontrollable. The singer acknowledges that although thoughts and emotions may slip away, they can still carry a powerful impact as they drift through their mind. When the singer utters "Possessing and caressing me," it suggests a lack of control over their thoughts and emotions as they wash over them, yet they also embrace them.

The repetition of "Nothing's gonna change my world" represents the singer's acceptance of the universe's unchanging nature. The phrase seems to simultaneously convey a sense of fatalism, resignation, and contentment. The endlessness of the universe and its constancy is emphasised by the mention of 'Jai Guru Deva', which can be translated to mean "I give thanks to the divine teacher who guides me from darkness to light." It represents the idea of being at one with the universe and aligning oneself with the universal forces, which can be seen as all-encompassing and, ultimately, unchanging.

The song's imagery in the second stanza speaks of "Images of broken light," "a million eyes" and "Restless wind inside a letterbox." These images all evoke a sense of chaos or uncertainty, but also of beauty and wonder. Despite the chaos of the universe, the singer recognises its beauty and is willing to be pulled in by its mysterious intricacies. The mention of 'Jai Guru Deva' again highlights the idea of seeking guidance from a higher force when facing uncontrollable forces in life, like the universe.

Line by Line Meaning

Words are flowing out like Endless rain into a paper cup
The singer is describing how words and ideas are pouring out of their mind uncontrollably, like rain filling a cup.

They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe.
The words and ideas are slippery and hard to pin down, as they travel through the universe.

Pools of sorrow waves of joy
The singer is experiencing strong emotions, both positive and negative.

Are drifting through my opened mind
The emotions are passing through the artist's mind, without being controlled or held onto.

Possessing and caressing me.
The emotions are taking hold of the artist's mind and having a strong impact on them.

Jai Guru Deva. Om
A Hindu mantra, which roughly translates to 'I give thanks to the divine guru.'

Nothing's gonna change my world
The singer believes that nothing in the world can shake their strong emotions or alter their state of mind.

Images of broken light, which
The artist is seeing broken, fragmented images in their mind.

Dance before me like a million eyes,
These images are active and moving, like millions of eyes watching the artist.

They call me on and on across the universe.
The images are compelling the artist to keep thinking and feeling, even as they travel through the universe.

Thoughts meander like a
The singer's thoughts are wandering and unfocused.

Restless wind inside a letter box
The thoughts are like a wind that can't be contained within a letter box.

They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe.
The thoughts are moving through the universe without a clear direction or goal.

Sounds of laughter, shades of life
The singer is hearing a variety of sounds and experiences.

Are ringing through my opened ears
The sounds and experiences are coming through the singer's ears and affecting them deeply.

Inciting and inviting me.
The sounds and experiences are encouraging the artist to keep feeling and thinking.

Limitless undying love, which
The artist is experiencing an intense and boundless love.

Shines around me like a million suns,
This love is bright and powerful, like a million suns shining at once.

It calls me on and on across the universe
This love is compelling the singer to keep moving and experiencing new things, even across the universe.

Jai Guru Deva.
The artist repeats the mantra, perhaps to give thanks for the intense experiences and emotions they are feeling.

Nothing's gonna change my world
The artist reiterates their belief that nothing in the world can shake their intense emotions or alter their state of mind.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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