This song's recording process exposed many of the underlying tensions that eventually led to the breakup of the group after the album's completion. Most notably, Paul Simon has repeatedly expressed regret that he allowed Art Garfunkel to sing this song as a solo, as it focused attention on Garfunkel and relegated Simon to a backing position. He felt an unwanted jealousy when Garfunkel received thunderous applause after performing the song, feeling that the acclamation should have been for him ("That's my song! I wrote it!"). Art Garfunkel initially did not want to sing lead vocal, feeling it was not right for him. "He felt I should have done it," Paul Simon revealed to Rolling Stone in 1972. Garfunkel said that the moment when he performed it in Madison Square Garden in 1972 was "almost biblical". In recent performances on the "Old Friends" tour, Simon and Garfunkel have taken turns singing alternate verses of the vocal.
As the song ends, drums and piano build in a crescendo to an extraordinary climax. The last note, on a violin, is a long, drawn out E-flat that lasts ten seconds.
Simon wrote the song in the summer of 1969 while Garfunkel was filming Catch-22 in Europe. It was written on the guitar in the key of E Sharp although on an early demo version Paul Simon detuned the song on his guitar to an F.
The song originally had two verses and different lyrics. Simon specifically wrote it for Garfunkel and knew it would be a piano song. He based the lyrics on the line "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in me" by Swan Silvertones in the song "Oh Mary Don't You Weep For Me".
Garfunkel reportedly liked Simon's falsetto on the demo and suggested Simon sing. He and producer Roy Halee also thought the song needed three verses and a 'bigger' sound. Simon agreed and wrote the final verse.
Garfunkel's first two attempts to record the vocal failed. The first two verses were finally recorded in New York with the final verse recorded in Los Angeles.
Larry Knechtel spent four days working on the piano arrangement. Art came up with the intermediate piano chords between the verses while working with Knechtel.
Bridge Over Troubled Wate
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, 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
The lyrics of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water" is a song about being a faithful and supportive friend. In times of difficulty, when exhaustion, sadness, and pain take over, the singer reassures their friend that they are there for them, to hold them up and help them feel safe. He will be a constant support for his or her friend when no one else is available. The lyrics speak of the willingness to stand by someone through their struggle and pain, to borrow the weight of their problems and carry them to brighter days. When the friend needs someone to listen or a shoulder to lean on, he will be there, as reliable as a bridge over troubled water. This song is a beautiful ode to friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're weary, feeling small
When you're tired and feeling insignificant
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, all
I will comfort you when you are crying
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
I am there for you during tough times
And friends just can't be found
When you can't find anyone else to turn to
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will serve as a supportive structure during difficult times
I will lay me down
I will sacrifice myself for your benefit and support you
When you're down and out
When you are broke and have no support
When you're on the street
When you are homeless and alone
When evening falls so hard
When darkness and difficulty seems to be setting in
I will comfort you
I will provide you with emotional support
I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
I will stand up for you when things get tough
And pain is all around
When there is only suffering
Sail on silver girl
Continue on your journey, woman with hope and optimism
Sail on by
Leave your troubles behind you
Your time has come to shine
Your time for success and happiness has arrived
All your dreams are on their way
All of your aspirations and ambitions are being realized
See how they shine
You can see the progress and hope in your life
Oh, if you need a friend
If you ever need someone to talk to or confide in
I'm sailing right behind
I am always present and ready to offer support
I will ease your mind
I will provide peace of mind and comfort
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will serve as a supportive structure during difficult times
I will ease your mind
I will provide peace of mind and comfort
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
@samanthak.2706
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
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
@kristiemoorman4175
I'm at stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver and an immune disorder. I live with my 87 yr old mom who has dementia. I'm struggling to take care of myself because I take care of her. This song helps to reassure me that my faith in God will allow me to rest in eternal life with no more worries.
@fen0000
Love to you. I hope your prayers are answered and that there is some help and hope for you both.
@xersen.5705
All my love Kristie, god bless you.
@ferm8103
Kristie , I hope you're OK now friend, please try and remain positive regardless of how your feeling about your situation, im also going through shit btw, just trying to steady the ship so to speak, better days ahead for us all, love and respect for you all. 💖
@kristiemoorman4175
@@ferm8103 I'm trying. My mom is my heart. So dementia hits hard.
I'm thankful for comments of encouragement. God Bless You.
@ferm8103
@@kristiemoorman4175 thank you for replying, from Glasgow, Scotland, uk, give yourself and your mother a big hug from me (martin) and please don't give up kristie ,as hard as it is, god bless
@luckylefty6177
My Dad died on February 18 2020 from heart complications, I was 21 at the time and I now just graduated college (no thanks to the pandemic taking away our ceremony.) Simon and Garfunkel was one of my dad’s favorites and we played this song at his funeral. Today is Father’s Day and it’s been very difficult for me so far. My Dad was a Vietnam vet and a very loving man, I thought the least I could do for him today was talk about him here under one of his favorites. The most heartfelt song I’ve ever heard.
@wwl7461
A fitting and beautiful tribute to your father. Beautiful. Peace to you.
@veroniquedelphi7689
Beautiful comment. You are probably a very beautiful person too. I lost my dad, somethings it’s hard to even think about him...
@jeffthewhiff
Gypsy Girl, so sorry to hear of your father's passing earlier this year. My 96 year-old father passed away in 2018 and I considered using this song at his funeral, but chose two other songs that were more appropriate for him. You certainly chose an amazing song and it is hard not to feel emotional after hearing it.