The Folk
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics


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Some folks' lives roll easy as a breeze
Driftin' through a summer night
Heading for a sunny day

But most folks' lives, oh, they stumble
Lord they fall
Through no fault of their own
Most folks never catch their stars

And here I am, Lord
I'm knocking at your place of business
I know I ain't got no business here
But you said if I ever got so low
I was busted
You could be trusted

Here I am, Lord
I'm knocking at your place of business
And I know I ain't got no business here
But you said if I ever got so low
I was busted
You could be trusted

Some folks' lives roll easy
Some folks' lives
Never roll at all, oh
Woah, they just fall




They just fall
Some folks' lives

Overall Meaning

are full of opportunities, happiness, and free from trouble, while others struggle to find their way and suffer from various obstacles. The opening lines of the song convey that some people glide through life, without any hindrances, like a gentle summer breeze headed towards the sun, while other people continuously stumble and fall through their years. The songwriter suggests that these people fall through no fault of their own, but due to circumstances beyond their control. The chorus provides an essential contrast between us and them, the haves and have-nots, those who catch their stars and those who never will.


In the second stanza, the singer seeks the divine intervention of a higher power. The singer admits to having no business in His place of business but is low and busted and needs to be trusted. The singer pleads with God to come to his aid, not to heal his trials but to trust him. The chorus repeats in the same melancholic refrain that rolls like a dirge, stating that some people's lives never roll at all; they fall without rhyme or reason.


In conclusion, Simon and Garfunkel's "The Folks" is a powerful song that illuminates the failures and struggles of ordinary people in their quest for fulfillment and success. The song speaks to the general insecurities and struggles that all people face in their lives, despite the prevailing notion of fairness and equality.


Line by Line Meaning

Some folks' lives roll easy as a breeze
Certain people are lucky and their lives progress without difficulty.


Driftin' through a summer night
These people effortlessly coast through life without any particular direction or purpose.


Heading for a sunny day
They are on their way to achieving happiness and success.


But most folks' lives, oh, they stumble
However, the majority of people face obstacles and challenges throughout life.


Lord they fall
These challenges often lead to failure and disappointment.


Through no fault of their own
These failures are not always the result of personal mistakes or shortcomings.


Most folks never catch their stars
Many people never achieve their dreams or reach their full potential.


And here I am, Lord
The singer is addressing a higher power, perhaps seeking guidance or help.


I'm knocking at your place of business
The singer is metaphorically seeking assistance from a divine entity.


I know I ain't got no business here
The singer acknowledges that they are asking for help despite not deserving it.


But you said if I ever got so low
The singer expresses faith in receiving help based on past promises or beliefs.


I was busted
This refers to the singer being in a state of desperation or crisis.


You could be trusted
The singer believes that the higher power can provide the needed help and support.


Some folks' lives roll easy
Repeating the first verse, emphasizing the disparity in life experiences among people.


Some folks' lives
Not everyone has a fair chance at success or happiness.


Never roll at all, oh
Some people are unable to make progress in life and remain in difficult situations.


Woah, they just fall
These individuals encounter significant challenges and obstacles that prevent them from succeeding or improving their lives.


They just fall
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the despair felt by those who cannot overcome their struggles.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Simon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@kumar107

"In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of ev'ry glove that laid him down
Or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
'I am leaving, I am leaving'
But the fighter still remains"

Just one of the great lyrical passages ever.



All comments from YouTube:

@ChannelJeffrey

i am old. I am at the end of my life now..Wow, what a ride. This song just reminds me of how much time has passed and how quickly it goes. If you are young, Im not preaching and your life is yours to live as you choose, but trust me--The days are long but the years are short.

@novocanal7153

His words made me cry.

@bazmanoid5371

I feel that. I have blinked and am nearly 40. The time does go by so fast.
God bless You in Jesus mighty name.

@neymaalnajmah2436

​@@novocanal7153😢

@PienderZ

I Hope you had the time of your live and that there will be lots if years of Joy for you ❤

@NebMunb

Well put. How old are you if I may ask? I hope you're not suffering from anything serious. My Grandfather is 95, and he recently was told he has a good year left in him. He has lived a great life. A wife of 75 years, 6 grandkids, 1 great grandson, and he has been to pretty much every country in the world. He's a good man, and I'm going to miss him so much when he is gone.

266 More Replies...

@DavidCurryFilms

"Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest." Ain't that the truth 😂

@KathieRopele74

absolutely the truth.

@KurtHansonIan

Depending on context because everytime, at the moment, which of the two participants in actuality knows "the truth." The victor only will speak of "a truth." The vanquished are quelled for a time, 'tis all.

Onward …! 🍺 + (💁🏻‍♀📝) = ⁉

@kilroy1964

Yup it's called confirmation bias.

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