Jonah
Paul Simon Lyrics


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Half an hour change your strings and tune up
Sizing the room up
Checking the bar
Local girls unspoken conversation
Misinformation
Plays guitar

They say Jonah he was swallowed by a whale
But I say there's no truth to that tale
I know Jonah
He was swallowed by a song

No one gives their dreams away too lightly
They hold them tightly
Warm against cold
One more year of traveling ‘round this circuit
Then you can work it into gold

They say Jonah he was swallowed by a whale
But I say there's no truth to that tale
I know Jonah
He was swallowed by a song

Here's to all the boys who came along
Carrying soft guitars in cardboard cases
All night long




Do you wonder where those boys have gone?
Do you wonder where those boys have gone?

Overall Meaning

The song "Jonah" by Paul Simon talks about the life of a musician and the struggles that come with it. He starts by describing the preparation that goes into a performance, checking the bar and sizing the room up to ensure the best experience for both the musician and the audience. He then goes on to mention the unspoken conversation that happens between local girls, possibly referring to the flirtatious interactions that happen in the crowd. However, the conversation can also be seen as an analogy for the disconnect between musicians and their audience, who may not fully understand or appreciate the artist's message.


Simon then brings up the story of Jonah, who is often cited as having been swallowed by a whale in the Bible. However, he claims there is no truth to that tale, and instead proposes that Jonah was swallowed by a song. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the power of music to consume and overtake an artist's life, reflecting both the sacrifice and the reward of pursuing a career in music.


In the final verse, Simon pays homage to the boyhood dreams of young guitar-wielding musicians, who carry their instruments in cardboard cases and play all night long. He brings up the question of where those boys have gone, perhaps suggesting that they have moved on from their dream in pursuit of something else, or that they have become successful and well-known musicians themselves.


Overall, "Jonah" is a reflective look at the life of a musician, the challenges they face, and the enduring power of music to captivate, consume and inspire.


Line by Line Meaning

Half an hour change your strings and tune up
Before performing, take the time to prepare and make sure your equipment is in proper working condition


Sizing the room up
Assess the environment where you'll be performing to adjust accordingly


Checking the bar
Ensure that the venue has all necessary resources and that patrons are enjoying the music


Local girls unspoken conversation
Pay attention to the audience's reactions throughout the show and engage with them if possible


Misinformation
Be wary of hearsay and rumors that could potentially derail one's creative endeavors


Plays guitar
As a musician, it's essential to hone one's craft continuously


They say Jonah he was swallowed by a whale
There's a commonly held belief that Jonah was swallowed by a whale in the Bible


But I say there's no truth to that tale
The songwriter disagrees with this belief


I know Jonah
The songwriter has personal connections with someone named Jonah


He was swallowed by a song
Jonah's passion for music consumed him


No one gives their dreams away too lightly
People typically hold onto their aspirations tightly


They hold them tightly
Dreams are precious and should be pursued with great care


Warm against cold
Dreams provide comfort and hope amidst life's difficulties


One more year of traveling ‘round this circuit
Another year of touring before being able to fully succeed in the music industry


Then you can work it into gold
After putting in the time and effort, success will follow


Here's to all the boys who came along
A tribute to all of the musicians who came before and paved the way


Carrying soft guitars in cardboard cases
Traveling to gigs on a shoestring budget with basic equipment


All night long
Playing and performing for hours on end


Do you wonder where those boys have gone?
Reflecting on where those past musicians are now


Do you wonder where those boys have gone?
Reiterating the question posed in the previous line




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL SIMON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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