Helpless
The Band feat. Neil Young Lyrics
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Dream comfort memory to spare
And in my mind I still need a place to go
All my changes were there
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
Yellow moon on the rise
Big birds flying across the sky
Leave us
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
Babe, can you hear me now?
The chains are locked and tied across the door
Baby, sing with me somehow
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
Yellow moon on the rise
Big birds flying across the sky
Throwing shadows on our eyes
Leave us
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
The song "Helpless" by The Band is a poetic expression of a longing for a place of comfort and familiarity. The opening line, "There is a town in North Ontario," sets the scene for a specific location that holds personal significance for the singer. The use of the phrase "dream comfort memory to spare" suggests that this place represents a source of solace and refuge from the challenges of life.
The singer is seeking to return to this place, as evidenced by the line, "And in my mind I still need a place to go / All my changes were there." The word "changes" suggests that the singer has undergone personal growth and transformation since leaving this place, but still craves the stability and security it represents.
The repeated refrain of "Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless" underscores the singer's feelings of vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of life's uncertainties. The final lines of the song, "The chains are locked and tied across the door / Baby, sing with me somehow" suggest that the singer is reaching out to a loved one for support and comfort in the midst of this struggle.
Overall, "Helpless" is a beautifully crafted and emotive song that captures the universal human desire for a place to call home.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a town in North Ontario
There is a small town located in Northern Ontario.
Dream comfort memory to spare
It is a tranquil and peaceful place with a lot of good memories.
And in my mind, I still need a place to go
I need a place I can escape to in my mind to find peace and solitude.
All my changes were there
This town was the place where I changed and grew as a person.
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
The night sky is very dark and mysterious, with only a few stars twinkling in the distance.
Yellow moon on the rise
The moon is rising and casting a yellowish light over the town.
Big birds flying across the sky
Large birds are soaring high in the sky, in a serene and peace-inducing scene.
Throwing shadows on our eyes
The shadows cast by these flying birds evoke a fleeting feeling of unease and uncertainty.
Leave us
This is a plea to the creatures of the night to let us find inner peace.
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
This is a mantra that echoes the artist's current state of emotional distress and powerlessness.
Babe, can you hear me now?
This is a question directed at a person who might be able to offer comfort amidst the turmoil.
The chains are locked and tied across the door
The artist is feeling trapped and confined - the chains are a symbol of the emotional chains holding him/her down.
Baby, sing with me somehow
This is another request for comfort, asking someone to join in a song to offer solace in the darkness.
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
Once again, this is a reminder of how powerless and helpless the singer feels.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Broken Arrow Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind