He began performing with his schoolfriend Art Garfunkel in 1956; together the two came to prominence in the 1960s as Simon & Garfunkel. The duo's blend of folk and rock music in hits like "The Sound of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson", "America", and "The Boxer" served as a soundtrack to the counterculture movement. Their career together peaked with their last album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), at one point the best-selling album of all time. Throughout his subsequent solo career, Simon has continued to explore an eclectic mixture of genres, including gospel, reggae, soul, and more. His celebrated 1970s output—comprising Paul Simon (1972), There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), and Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)—kept him in the public spotlight and saw critical and commercial acclaim, spawning the hits "Mother and Child Reunion", "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover".
Across his life, Simon has intermittently reunited with Garfunkel for several tours, including the famed Concert in Central Park. The widely lauded Graceland (1986) became Simon's biggest album of his career, melding his rock sound with worldbeat flavors; its single "You Can Call Me Al" became one of Simon's top hits. A sequel of sorts, The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), preceded his own successful Concert in the Park, attended by a half-million fans. That decade, Simon focused his energies on a Broadway musical The Capeman (1997), which was poorly received. In the first quarter of the next century, Simon continued to record and tour; his later albums, such as You're the One (2000), So Beautiful or So What (2011), and Stranger to Stranger (2016), have introduced him to new generations. He retired from touring in 2018. His most recent work, Seven Psalms, will see release in May 2023.
Simon is among the most acclaimed musicians and songwriters in popular music, and one of the world's best-selling music artists, both for his solo work and with Garfunkel. He is a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has been the recipient of sixteen Grammy Awards, including three for Album of the Year. Two of his works, Sounds of Silence and Graceland, have seen induction into National Recording Registry for their cultural significance, and in 2007, the Library of Congress crowned him the inaugural winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. He is a co-founder of the Children's Health Fund, a nonprofit that provides medical care to children.
In an in-depth interview reprinted in American Songwriter, Simon discusses the craft of songwriting with music journalist Tom Moon. In the interview, Simon explains the basic themes in his songwriting: love, family and social commentary (as well as the overarching messages of religion, spirituality and God in his lyrics). Simon explains the process of how he goes about writing songs in the interview: "The music always precedes the words. The words often come from the sound of the music and eventually evolve into coherent thoughts. Or incoherent thoughts. Rhythm plays a crucial part in the lyric-making as well. It's like a puzzle to find the right words to express what the music is saying."
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry
Them all,
I'm on your side. When times get rough
And friends just can't be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
When you're down and out,
When you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I'll take your part.
When darkness comes
And pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Sail on silver girl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
In Paul Simon's iconic song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," he offers support and comfort to someone experiencing difficulty. The song is broken into three verses, each one providing a different situation where the singer offers to help. In the first verse, the singer is there to wipe away tears and provide support during troubled times. Conversely, the second verse describes a situation where a person has hit rock bottom, and the singer pledges to give them comfort and take their side. Finally, in the third verse, the lyrics shift to a third-person narrative, describing someone who is shining and has all their dreams coming true. The singer offers their support, saying they are sailing behind and ready to ease the person's mind should they need it.
The chorus is the constant throughout, with the singer offering to be a "bridge over troubled water," ready to lay themselves down and ease the other person's worries. The imagery of the bridge is powerful, as it conjures the idea of something steadfast that provides safety and stability over tumultuous waters. The song is a beautiful reminder that we all need help sometimes, and that reaching out to support those around us is a fundamental part of being human.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're weary, feeling small
When you feel tired and insignificant
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry Them all
I will wipe away your tears and comfort you
I'm on your side. When times get rough
I am here for you, especially in difficult times
And friends just can't be found
When you feel lonely and have nowhere else to turn
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
I will go to great lengths to help you in your troubles
When you're down and out, When you're on the street
When you are in a bad situation, with little to no hope
When evening falls so hard I will comfort you
I will be there to comfort you, especially when times are tough
I'll take your part
I will support you and defend you
When darkness comes And pain is all around
When you are surrounded by darkness and suffering
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
I will go to great lengths to help you in your troubles
Sail on silver girl
Keep going, don't give up
Sail on by
Continue on, don't stop
Your time has come to shine
It's your time to succeed and be happy
All your dreams are on their way
Your dreams are coming true
See how they shine
Your accomplishments are shining brightly
If you need a friend I'm sailing right behind
I am here for you, supporting you, and ready to help as needed
Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind
I will provide comfort and support to ease your worries
Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind
I will provide comfort and support to ease your worries
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JessieLJohnson22Yeshua
Fun fact: "Bridge Over Troubled Water is a gospel phrase which Paul took from a gospel group. It was in a Baptist church hymn. He liked the phrase and he used it." The song, which reached Number 1 in 1970, was written by Paul Simon, but it was Art Garfunkel who sang lead vocal so brilliantly."
Verse Matthew 14:22 - 33
"And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."
Love You guys, may you have peace and love, and healing. Stay true to our groom, and our Father, our King, our First Lover whom loved us First.
Pray "Through the intercessions of our most Holy Theotokos and of all our saints" And pray to Jesus to protect you, and then you will have a whole army protecting you. God Loves You. You are protected and he will provide for you just surrender yourself to God and surrender all your fears and worries, and pain unto him and He will save you.
Amen
@nl095641
When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I'll dry them all
I'm on your side
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
@guillemdaura8946
[Verse 1]
When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I'm on your side
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
[Chorus]
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
[Verse 2]
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
[Chorus]
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
[Verse 3]
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
[Chorus]
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
@user-nq1md3zq8e
Quite possibly one of the best songs ever written. The words touch me every time
@TerriPfeiffer-vl7uh
🩷
@zorak1997
I've been a fan of this song for decades and only recently learned from an interview Simon did that the song was originally written with only the first two verses, inspired by some American gospel Simon had heard. The album's producer told Simon to add on another verse and give it a bigger ending. Simon's wife at the time was upset at discovering her first white hair and Simon wrote the third verse "Sail on silver girl" as a joking reaction to a white hair. I still love the song, but when that third verse starts part of me laughs knowing that this emotional song of support to those in distress was written partially in jest.
@abstract5249
Every comments section on every video of every pop song says it's one of the best songs ever.
@thomaschandler4769
A FLAWLESS MASTERPIECE SIR❗ OUT OF THE HUNFREDS OF THOUSANDS OR MILLIONS OF OLD ROCK SONGS THIS HAS TO BE IN THE TOP 5... NO LESS❗ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, SUBLIME, PERFECTLY SUITED FOR ALL OF LOVES VISSISITUDES❗ NUFF' SAID.
@nuffzed2001
Proof that it doesn’t matter if it’s 1960 , 20060 or 60, it’s still the journey inside and out in our time here
@johnrowland3105
Quite possibly the best song ever written on the human condition.
@who7063
.....?
@hananyehia1815
It is in the list of 100 best songs ever
And it is beautifull
But the best is probably Bohemian Rhapsody or Imagine or Stairway to Heaven
@yvonnepaul1196
Angels in heaven are applauding...