Bridge over Troubled Water
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
This song's recording Read Full Bio"Bridge over Troubled Water" is the title song of Simon and Garfunkel's final album together, Bridge over Troubled Water, released January 1970. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at the top of the chart for six weeks. It was replaced at the number-one spot by The Beatles' "Let It Be". "Bridge over Troubled Water" also topped the adult contemporary chart in the U.S. for six weeks.
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.
Guillem Daura
[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
George Talakua
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
James Page
I considered suicide several times, but each time, this song brought me back. These men saved my life, as well as the lives of some of my brothers in arms. God bless them both.
Damien Brennan
Keep fighting the good fight. Every day is a victory.
creep
I love you man<3
roberto gonzalez
Brother I feel the same but we have to wait for our time take care
D Young
Peace be with you friend, know that you are loved.
Cheshire Cars
You are a valued member of the human race never forget this may God be with you every step of your journey here on earth we all have purpose we don't always see this BUT we have including you..
Samantha Larbey
My friend of 38 years passed this morning at the age of 48. This song had been playing in my head for days. I asked her to send me a sign she’s ok and this song came on the radio. Rest in peace Sam my beautiful friend
carolyn barnes
It is amazing how songs come through and through. My heart is with you..
Terry Horowitz
I'm so sorry for your sadness & loss. You remain in my heart. 💜 This song is so beautiful & deeply emotional. It's incredible that it was brought to you...
Samantha Larbey
@carolyn barnes Thank you 😘