Octopus's Garden
The Beatles䀀 Lyrics


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I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade

I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade.

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus' garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around
Because we know we can't be found
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
(Happy and they're safe)

We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do




I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden with you.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the Beatles' (Ringo Starr's) "Octopus's Garden" paint a vivid picture of a safe and peaceful world beneath the waves. The singer expresses a longing for this world, where an octopus would welcome them into his garden and protect them from the storm raging above. Their little hideaway would be near a cave, and they would rest their heads on the sea bed, singing and dancing with joy, safe from the chaos of the outside world.


The song was written by Ringo Starr during a boat trip with his family in Sardinia, where the captain of the ship explained to him that octopuses gather stones and shiny objects to build "gardens" outside their caves. The idea fascinated Ringo, and he wrote the song as a whimsical reflection on the beauty and tranquility of life underwater.


The lyrics can also be interpreted as a metaphor for Ringo's own desire to escape the pressures and stresses of being a Beatle at the height of their fame. He previously expressed a desire to quit the band and sail away, and "Octopus's Garden" can be seen as a manifestation of that desire to retreat into a peaceful world of his own making.


Line by Line Meaning

I'd like to be under the sea
I wish to be submerged in the ocean


In an octopus' garden in the shade
And spend my time in a cool spot surrounded by aquatic plants and an octopus


He'd let us in, knows where we've been
The octopus would allow us in as he is aware of our past experiences


In his octopus' garden in the shade
Let us in to enjoy his garden


I'd ask my friends to come and see
Invite my friends to witness this magnificent sight


An octopus' garden with me
The gorgeous garden owned by the octopus.


We would be warm below the storm
We will not be disturbed by the calamity and be protected underneath


In our little hideaway beneath the waves
We will take refuge in our little spot under the water


Resting our head on the sea bed
We will lay our head on the bed of the sea beneath us


In an octopus' garden near a cave
Located near the opening of a cavern lies the beautiful garden owned by the octopus


We would sing and dance around
We would dance and sing while surrounded by aquatic life


Because we know we can't be found
As we are underwater, we know nobody can catch us


We would shout and swim about
Enjoy the beautiful corals below us by screaming and swimming with glee


The coral that lies beneath the waves
The hidden corals that exist underwater


Oh what joy for every girl and boy
A delightful sight for everyone, regardless of their gender or age


Knowing they're happy and they're safe
Being aware that everyone who witnesses is satisfied and protected


We would be so happy you and me
We would be genuinely happy together


No one there to tell us what to do
No one to enforce rules or regulations on us


I'd like to be under the sea
I would love to be submerged in the ocean


In an octopus' garden with you
And enjoy the octopus garden with somebody as amazing as you.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD STARKEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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