Field of Opportunity
Neil Young Lyrics


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I've been wrong before
And I'll be there again
I don't have any answers my friend
Just this pile of old questions
My memory left me here
In the field of opportunity
It's plowin' time again
I'm going' back to my house
But I'm not goin' now
It's too early to be leaving here, somehow
Let me bore you with this story
"How my lover let me down"
While I borrow seeds of sadness
From the ground

In the field of opportunity
It's plowin' time again
There ain't no way of telling
Where these seeds will rise or when
I'll just wait around 'til springtime
And then I'll find a friend
In the field of opportunity
It's plowin' time again

When I'm all done cultivatin'
I'll be rockin' on the porch
Tryin' to picture you and where you are
And there'll be no hesitatin'
When Cupid lights the torch
With those headlights comin' down the hill
Between the stars

In the field of opportunity
It's plowin' time again
There ain't no way of telling
Where these seeds will rise or when
I'll just wait around 'til springtime
And then I'll find a friend
In the field of opportunity
It's plowin' time again




In the field of opportunity
It's plowin' time again

Overall Meaning

The song Field of Opportunity by Neil Young appears to be about the uncertainty and unpredictability of life. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been wrong before and will be wrong again, indicating a sense of humbleness and awareness of fallibility. The pile of old questions he refers to represents the immense, existential queries that we all grapple with throughout our lives. The memory that has left him in the field of opportunity could signify the longings or desires that he has yet to fulfill that have brought him to this place. It's plowing time again connects to the idea of cyclical nature, the ups, and downs of life, the seasons of the year, and the seasons of our existence.


The singer's mention of "borrowing seeds of sadness from the ground" represents the idea that pain can be a source of growth and inspiration. The line “Let me bore you with this story, how my lover let me down” implies that we all share a common bond of pain and that opening up to others about it can provide solace and healing. The phrase "I'll just wait around 'til springtime, and then I'll find a friend" suggests that no matter how daunting the future may seem, there is always hope around the corner. The song ends with the singer imagining himself rocking on the porch, trying to find peace in his heart before Cupid lights the torch signaling a new beginning.


Line by Line Meaning

I've been wrong before
I have made mistakes in the past


And I'll be there again
And I know that I will make mistakes again in the future


I don't have any answers my friend
I do not have any solutions or explanations, my friend


Just this pile of old questions
Only a collection of unresolved questions


My memory left me here
I have arrived at this place due to my memory or lack thereof


In the field of opportunity
I find myself in a place where many opportunities may arise


It's plowin' time again
It is the time to prepare for new growth by clearing and cultivating the land


I'm going' back to my house
I am returning to my dwelling


But I'm not goin' now
But I am not leaving this place


It's too early to be leaving here, somehow
It is still too soon for me to depart, for some reason or another


Let me bore you with this story
Allow me to tell you a tedious story


"How my lover let me down"
"About my heartache and disappointment from my partner"


While I borrow seeds of sadness
At the same time, I am collecting and acquiring seeds of sorrow


From the ground
From the earth beneath me


There ain't no way of telling
There is no certain way to predict


Where these seeds will rise or when
Where these sorrowful moments may surface or when they might appear


I'll just wait around 'til springtime
I will simply remain present until the right moment


And then, I'll find a friend
At that point, I may find companionship


When I'm all done cultivatin'
Once I have finished working the land


I'll be rockin' on the porch
I will relax and rest on my porch


Tryin' to picture you and where you are
Attempting to imagine where you may be


And there'll be no hesitatin'
There will be no hesitation or delay


When Cupid lights the torch
When love ignites once again


With those headlights comin' down the hill
With those car headlights descending down the slope


Between the stars
Between celestial bodies in the sky




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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