"Golden Slumbers" is based on the poem "Cradle Song" by Thomas Dekker and written in a lullaby style. McCartney saw the sheet music for Dekker's lullaby at his father's home in Liverpool, left on a piano by his stepsister Ruth McCartney. McCartney could not read music at the time and was unable to read the score, and so he created his own melody and arrangement. The words originally come from a lullaby in The Pleasant Comodie of Patient Grissill written about 1603.
The main recording session for "Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight" was on 2 July 1969. John Lennon was not present. He was injured in a motor vehicle accident in Scotland on 1 July 1969, and was hospitalized there until 6 July.
Additional vocals were added in an overdub session on 30 July 1969, the same day the first trial edit of the side two medley was created. Lennon did participate in this session. On 15 August, orchestral overdubs were made to "Golden Slumbers" and five other songs on Abbey Road.
Golden Slumbers
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To get back homeward
Once there was a way
To get back home
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
Smiles await you when you rise
Sleep pretty 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, pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby
"Golden Slumbers" is a lullaby-style song written by Paul McCartney for The Beatles' album, "Abbey Road." The first verse opens with "Once there was a way to get back homeward, Once there was a way to get back home." This could be interpreted as a longing for a simpler time or for a way to escape from the present. The second verse begins with "Golden slumbers fill your eyes, Smiles await you when you rise." It refers to the peaceful state of mind that comes with sleep, with the "golden" suggesting a state of blissful contentment. The lyrics encourage the listener to let go of their worries and sleep peacefully.
The lyrics repeat throughout the song, in a lullaby-like mantra. The final verse ends with "sleep pretty darling, do not cry, and I will sing a lullaby," reinforcing the song's calming message. McCartney's voice is gentle and soothing, creating a peaceful atmosphere that could help someone drift off to sleep.
Line by Line Meaning
Once there was a way
There was a path to follow
To get back homeward
To return to where you belong
Once there was a way
There was a path to follow
To get back home
To go back where you came from
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
Don't worry, everything is going to be alright
And I will sing a lullaby
I will comfort you with a soothing song
Golden slumbers fill your eyes
You will be filled with peace and comfort
Smiles await you when you rise
Happiness and joy awaits you in the future
Sleep pretty darling, do not cry
Don't worry, everything is going to be alright
And I will sing a lullaby
I will comfort you with a soothing song
Once there was a way
There was a path to follow
To get back homeward
To return to where you belong
Once there was a way
There was a path to follow
To get back home
To go back where you came from
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
Don't worry, everything is going to be alright
And I will sing a lullaby
I will comfort you with a soothing song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul McCartney, John Lennon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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