Golden Slumbers
The Beatles;Paul McCartney;George Harrison;Richard Starkey Lyrics
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To get back homeward
Once there was a way
To get back home
Sleep, little darling, do not cry
I will sing a lullaby
Smiles await you when you rise
Sleep, little darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Once there was a way
To get back homeward
Once there was a way
To get back home
Sleep, little darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Oh yeah, I never give you my pillow
I only send you my invitations
And in the middle of a celebration, I lay down
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Oh yeah, all right
Well, you're gonna be in my dreams tonight
Love you, love you
Love you, love you
Love you, love you
Love you, love you
And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love
You make
Oh, oh
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
The song "Golden Slumbers" by The Beatles, featuring lyrics by Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, is a lullaby dedicated to a little darling whose eyes are filled with golden slumbers. It speaks about a way to get back home, in a childlike manner that revolves around a comforting lullaby that assures the child that the smiles await them when they rise. It is aimed to be comforting, soothing and provide a feeling of relaxation to the listener.
As the song progresses, it slowly transitions into a different theme. The line "Boy, you're gonna carry that weight, carry that weight a long time" changes the tone of the song from a lullaby to something deeper, representing the burdens one has to carry in life. The line "Oh yeah, I never give you my pillow, I only send you my invitations, And in the middle of a celebration, I lay down" refers to the idea that life is not always fair and sometimes a person has to carry burdens without any support. The song further proceeds with the lines where the singer lets the listener know that they are loved and are wished a peaceful journey.
Overall, the song "Golden Slumbers" can be interpreted as an ode to the innocence and comfort of childhood, but also a reminder that life can be challenging and one must be prepared to fight through it. The final line "In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" is a philosophical insight into the idea that one should always strive to give and take love regardless of the outcomes.
Line by Line Meaning
Once there was a way
In the past, there existed a path
To get back homeward
That led to one's home
Once there was a way
Repeated emphasis on the existence of the path
To get back home
To return to one's home
Sleep, little darling, do not cry
Rest, small child, don't shed tears
I will sing a lullaby
I will sing a calming song
Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Your eyelids are heavy with sleep
Smiles await you when you rise
Happiness will greet you upon waking
Sleep, little darling, do not cry
A reminder to rest and not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Sing a soothing melody
Once there was a way
Reemphasizing the lost path
To get back homeward
The way back home
Once there was a way
The path existed at one point
To get back home
To return to a place of familiarity
Sleep, little darling, do not cry
Reassurance to rest peacefully
And I will sing a lullaby
With a gentle melody
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
You will bear a heavy burden
Carry that weight a long time
The weight will be carried for an extended period
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
The burden is yours to bear
Carry that weight a long time
The weight will last for quite some time
Oh yeah, I never give you my pillow
An admission of failure to provide comfort to someone
I only send you my invitations
Sending out invites only, not affection
And in the middle of a celebration, I lay down
Even during happy moments, there's no true rest
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
A repeated reminder of one's burden
Carry that weight a long time
Over a long period
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
The weight won't be lifted soon
Carry that weight a long time
The burden lasts for an indefinite amount of time
Oh yeah, all right
An affirmative response, almost sarcastic in tone
Well, you're gonna be in my dreams tonight
I will dream of you tonight
Love you, love you
A declaration of love
Love you, love you
Repetition to emphasize love
Love you, love you
Repetition once more to solidify love
Love you, love you
Repetitive emphasis of unconditional love
And in the end
All things considered
The love you take
The amount of love you receive from others
Is equal to the love
Mirrored by the love
You make
That you give to others
Oh, oh
Sounds of excitement or surprise
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Sounds of affirmation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul McCartney, John Lennon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind