His output has ranged from bluegrass to studio-oriented dub reggae, but his core output comfortably straddles folk, rock, and even some country. His lyrics, simply and laconically voiced, have managed to speak to Australian experiences and history perhaps more broadly and directly than any other artist..
Leaps and Bounds
Paul Kelly and The Coloured Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking over the bridge
To the M.C.G.
And way up on high
The clock on the silo
Says eleven degrees
I remember I remember
The month of May
All the burning leaves
I'm not hearing a sound
My feet don't even
Touch the ground
I remember I remember
I go leaps and bounds
Down past the river
And across the playing fields
The fields all empty
Only for the burning leaves
I remember I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I remember everything
At the start of "Leaps and Bounds" by Paul Kelly, the singer is standing high on a hill, looking over the bridge towards the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He points out the clock on the silo showing the temperature to be eleven degrees. Kelly's use of imagery suggests that the song is a reflection on the city of Melbourne itself, and how it has changed over time. The nostalgia in the song emphasizes that while things may have changed, memories remain clear and meaningful.
Throughout the chorus, the singer repeats, "I remember, I remember, I go leaps and bounds." This emphasizes the strong memories he has of the past. The singer mentions walking down past the river and across the playing fields, with the leaves burning. His memory of this scene is so clear, that he feels like he's reliving it as he sings. The final line, "I remember everything," emphasizes the importance of remembering one's past, and how it shapes one's perspective of the present and future.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm high on the hill
I am on top of a hill
Looking over the bridge
I am looking down at a bridge from above
To the M.C.G.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, a stadium located in Melbourne, Australia
And way up on high
Even higher than where I already stand
The clock on the silo
There is a clock on a tall cylindrical structure
Says eleven degrees
It is 11 degrees Celsius outside
I remember I remember
I recollect moments from the past
I'm breathing today
I am alive and well today
The month of May
It is currently May
All the burning leaves
There are many leaves on fire
I'm not hearing a sound
It is completely silent
My feet don't even
My feet feel weightless
Touch the ground
They are not making contact with the earth
I go leaps and bounds
I move quickly and with great enthusiasm
Down past the river
I am moving down a path next to a river
And across the playing fields
I am crossing a large area meant for outdoor activities
The fields all empty
There is nobody in the fields
Only for the burning leaves
The only notable thing in the fields are the burning leaves
I remember everything
I remember all of the events from the past that I am recollecting
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Maurice Kelly, Christopher Robert Langman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevejager8088
I'm high on the hill
Looking over the bridge
To the M.C.G.
And way up on high
The clock on the silo
Says eleven degrees
I remember
I remember
I'm breathing today
The month of May
All the burning leaves
I'm not hearing a sound
My feet don't even
Touch the ground
I remember
I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
Down past the river
And across the playing fields
The fields all empty
Only for the burning leaves
I remember
I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
I'm high on the hill
Looking over the bridge
To the M.C.G.
Stumbling around
My feet don't even
Touch the ground
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember everything
@LatteZMoon
Lyrics:
I'm high on the hill
Looking over the bridge
To the M.C.G.
And way up on high
The clock on the silo
Says eleven degrees
I remember
I remember
I'm breathing today
The month of May
All the burning leaves
I'm not hearing a sound
My feet don't even
Touch the ground
I remember
I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
Down past the river
And across the playing fields
The fields all empty
Only for the burning leaves
I remember
I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
I'm high on the hill
Looking over the bridge
To the M.C.G.
Stumbling around
My feet don't even
Touch the ground
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
I go leaps and bounds
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember
I remember everything
@conhatzi
for me this is the Melbourne Anthem
@charleskingsmill8427
How does this classic only have a couple of thousand likes?
@northseabrent
My neighbour loved this song so much that she threw a brick through my window so she could hear it better……
@selmaroberson4447
@northseabrent r u for real lol
@pamharrison8348
As a Melbournian this song sends shivers down my spine.
@lachlanbrowne1655
Same
@jaynietee000
I’m an expat Vic, playing this today and feeling so sad for Victoria and Melbourne in particular. Brings back so many amazing memories. Hot chips, cold day....Essendon scarf and the roar of the crowd. Stay safe everyone and let’s hope this craziness ends. Paul Kelly is a genius ❤️
@trapezoidspangle934
The burning leaves. Melbourne in the 80’s. Shops closed at midday Saturday. Dad mowing the lawn then taking us kids for a drive for an ice- cream while he’d put a few bets on at the TAB. Then stop off at the drive through bottle shop for half a dozen Fosters.
@manndingo65
Same and I'm from Sydney
@caseyjones7235
I was just feeling the same way right now 🤙