It's A Wonderful World
Nick Cave & Shane MacGowan Lyrics
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I watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I see skies of blue, clouds of white
The bright blessed day and the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Are also on the faces of the people passing by
I see friends shaking hands, saying, "How do you do?"
What they're really saying is "I love you"
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, "What a wonderful world"
Yes, I think to myself, "What a wonderful world"
At first glance, Nick Cave's rendition of "What a Wonderful World" appears to be a cheerful celebration of nature’s beauty, wrapped in a nostalgic, almost wistful tone. However, upon closer inspection, the song takes on a deeper, more complex meaning. The first two verses describe the beauty of nature and the world around us, but the third and fourth are more personal, reflecting on the people we share this world with. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that what Cave is really celebrating is the capacity for human connection and love in a world that can be very cruel and difficult.
The second verse of the song takes on an almost philosophical tone. The bright, blessed day represents the good in life, while the dark sacred night represents its challenges and difficulties. By acknowledging both the beauty and the challenges of the world, the song becomes a celebration of life in all its complexity. As Cave sings the final verse, he reflects on the fleeting nature of our existence and the fact that, no matter how much we learn during our lifetimes, there is so much that we will never know. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of the beauty and complexity of life, and serves as a reminder to appreciate and cherish the people and world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I see trees of green, red roses too
I observe the beauty of nature around me, not just the green trees but also the red roses.
I watch them bloom for me and you
The beauty of nature is not just for me, but for all of us to enjoy, and I appreciate it.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Being able to see and appreciate the beauty of the world around me is a wonderful thing that I am grateful for.
I see skies of blue, clouds of white
The blue skies and white clouds in the sky are a sight to behold and appreciate.
The bright blessed day and the dark sacred night
Both day and night have their own unique blessings and are worthy of appreciation.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Being able to appreciate the beauty of the world around me fills me with joy and contentment.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
The colors of the rainbow are not just in the sky, but also on the faces of the people I see passing by.
Are also on the faces of the people passing by
The diversity of people and their unique features are a sight to appreciate and celebrate.
I see friends shaking hands, saying, how do you do?
Seeing friends greet each other with kindness and warmth fills my heart with joy.
What they're really saying is 'I love you.'
The simple act of greeting someone warmly is a way of showing love and affection.
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
The cycle of life and growth is something I am able to witness and appreciate.
They'll know much more than I'll ever know
The next generation will continue to learn and grow, carrying on the legacy of appreciating the world around us.
And I think to myself: What a Wonderful World
The world is full of beauty and wonder, and being able to appreciate it is a gift to treasure.
Yes I think to myself: What a Wonderful World
Even in the midst of challenges and difficulties, being able to see the beauty of the world is something to be grateful for and celebrate.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George David Weiss, Robert Thiele
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind