Cecilia
P. Simon Lyrics

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Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home

Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees

I'm begging you please to come home
Come on home

Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
Up in my bedroom (making love)
I got up to wash my face
When I come back to bed someone's taken my place

Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home
Come on home

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

Jubilation
She loves me again
I fall on the floor and I'm laughing

Jubilation
She loves me again
I fall on the floor and I'm laughing

Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Overall Meaning

The song "Cecilia" by Paul Simon is a heartfelt plea from a man who has been betrayed by the woman he loves. Cecilia has shaken the singer's confidence and caused him immense pain. He begs her to come back home and make things right between them. The lyrics describe the passion and intensity of their relationship which includes making love in the afternoon. However, the singer discovers after leaving the bed for a moment, someone else has taken his place. This causes him further heartbreak and he pleads with Cecilia to forgive him and come back to him.

The song is catchy and upbeat, disguising the true emotion behind the lyrics. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes just how much Cecilia means to the singer, and how much her betrayal has hurt him. The word "Jubilation" in the verse is a hint of optimism and hope, suggesting that perhaps Cecilia has returned to him and they will be happy again.

Overall, "Cecilia" is a song about love, heartbreak, and forgiveness. It speaks to the universal human experience of being hurt by someone we love and the lengths we will go to for their forgiveness and love in return.

Line by Line Meaning

Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
The person being addressed is causing emotional strain and heartbreak.

You're shaking my confidence daily
The person addressed is causing insecurity and constantly damaging the confidence of the singer.

Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
The singer is pleading and begging for Cecilia's return or forgiveness.

I'm begging you please to come home
The artist is asking Cecilia to come back or to forgive him for something he has done.

Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
The artist is describing a romantic encounter with Cecilia in the afternoon.

Up in my bedroom (making love)
The romantic encounter was taking place in the singer's bedroom.

I got up to wash my face
The singer left the bed briefly to freshen up.

When I come back to bed someone's taken my place
The artist returns to bed to find that someone has replaced him in Cecilia's affections or that he has lost her to another man.

Jubilation
The artist is ecstatic with happiness.

She loves me again
Cecilia has returned her affection to the artist.

I fall on the floor and I'm laughing
The singer is so happy that he falls to the floor in laughter and joy.

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Nonsensical syllables intended to convey a joyful and celebratory mood.

Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Nonsensical syllables intended to convey a joyful and celebratory mood.