Over The Rainbow
Rufus Wainwright feat. Kate McGarrigle Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over that rainbow
Why then, oh why, can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why, can't I?





(Give us a bow mom)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rufus Wainwright feat. Kate McGarrigle's "Over the Rainbow" evoke a sense of longing for a better life, where dreams come true and troubles melt away. The song's opening lines set the scene for this utopia, with the mention of a land that the singer has only heard of in a lullaby. The imagery of a rainbow, with blue skies and happy birds that fly beyond it, adds to this idyllic image. The singer longs to be part of this world, where they can escape their troubles and find happiness.


The second verse highlights the singer's wish to leave their current life behind and join this dream world. They hope to wake up where the clouds are far behind them, where they can experience the blissful sensation of troubles melting away like lemon drops. The mention of the chimney tops suggests a sense of elevation, that the singer will be living high above their previous life.


Overall, "Over the Rainbow" is a song about hope and the human desire for a better life. It suggests that no matter how bad things may seem, there is always the possibility of finding happiness and escaping one's troubles.


Line by Line Meaning

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
High up in the sky, there's a place beyond our imagination


There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
A place of fantasy that I only heard of in a calming song


Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
In this faraway land, the sky is serene blue


And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Wishes that you dare to hope for in this magical place can actually come to life


Someday I'll wish upon a star
One of these days, I will make a wish upon a bright star


And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
I'll wake up in a place so far away from worries, even clouds would not reach me


Where troubles melt like lemon drops
In this place, all the problems would dissolve as if they were sweet lemon drops


High above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
Soaring high above the houses and chimneys is where I will be enjoying life


Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
In this enchanted place, blue-colored birds take flight beyond the rainbow


Birds fly over that rainbow
These birds are fluttering over the rainbow arch


Why then, oh why, can't I?
Why can't I also fly over the rainbow and discover that marvelous place?


If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
If those content bluebirds can fly over the rainbow and seek joy,


Why, oh why, can't I?
Then why am I not capable of traveling to that land to find my own happiness?




Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

InSleeplessToronto1

Rufus in his own rights has matured as a singer over the years. Very good rendition of this epic masterpiece. Rufus is known for his Beatles remake songs, such as, โ€œacross the universeโ€. I just wonder why donโ€™t we build tolerance amongst ourselves and love and respect each other to live happily ever after.โค

Light_defier

Beautifully performed/sang. I almost cried this is majestic ๐ŸŒˆ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ๐Ÿ’–

Gloria Spratt

What a beautiful song. What a fabulous rendition Rufus. It was so touching. Thank you xo

Sky Blue 1313

So beautiful and touching. The world needs more of this. Thank you. โค๏ธ๐ŸŒˆ

Iain MacDonald

Fabulous version-even better when you hear it live

Lucero Troncoso

Quรฉ versiรณn mรกs bella โค๏ธ y quรฉ hermoso vรญdeo ๐Ÿ’˜ gracias Rufus saludos desde Mรฉxico ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ

Barbara Griffin

Beautiful song and message!๐ŸŒˆ

veronique herve

This video is a strong message. We need some more ! Il faut continuer le combat pour l'acquisition et le respect des mรชme droits pour tous mais aussi resserrer les rangs pour la prรฉservation de ceux que nos pรจres et mรจres ont durement acquis !

Wesley Cartwright

๐Ÿ˜ Even better than the version from the live album a few years ago.

Andrew Leighton

Wow, just wow, as always your voice is perfection โค๏ธ

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