Within You Without You
The Beatles Lyrics


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We were talking
About the space between us all
And the people
Who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth
Then it's far too late
When they pass away
We were talking
About the love we all could share
When we find it
To try our best to hold it there
With our love, with our love
We could save the world
If they only knew

Try to realize it's all within yourself
No one else can make you change
And to see you're really only very small
And life flows on within you and without you

We were talking
About the love that's gone so cold
And the people
Who gain the world and lose their soul
They don't know
They can't see
Are you one of them?

When you've seen beyond yourself then you may find
Peace of mind is waiting there




And the time will come when you see we're all one
And life flows on within you and without you

Overall Meaning

The song "Within You Without You" by The Beatles is a reflective piece that delves into themes of interconnectedness, spirituality, and the human condition. At its core, the song is an exploration of the ways in which we as human beings create barriers between ourselves and others, and between ourselves and the natural world. The first verse speaks to the illusion of separateness that pervades human society, and how many people go through life without ever truly understanding the true nature of reality.


The second verse shifts towards a more positive message, as the singer suggests that the love we all share has the power to overcome these barriers and make the world a better place. However, the chorus reminds us that change starts within and that true self-awareness is the key to unlocking this potential. The third verse is a warning about the dangers of materialism and the ways in which it can corrupt the soul. The final lines are a call to action, urging listeners to look beyond themselves and see the oneness that connects us all.


Line by Line Meaning

We were talking
We were engaged in a conversation


About the space between us all
We were talking about the distance that separates us


And the people
As well as the individuals


Who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion
Who create an imaginary barrier around themselves


Never glimpse the truth
And as a result, never become aware of the reality that exists outside of it


Then it's far too late
Only to finally realize their error when it's too late


When they pass away
At the end of their lifespan


We were talking
We were discussing


About the love we all could share
The love that we are all capable of spreading


When we find it
Once we've discovered it


To try our best to hold it there
We should do our utmost to keep it around


With our love, with our love
By using our love


We could save the world
We can actually make a difference globally


If they only knew
Unfortunately, most people are unaware of this


Try to realize it's all within yourself
You should understand that the solution lies within yourself


No one else can make you change
It's impossible for someone else to alter you


And to see you're really only very small
It's crucial to understand that we are all quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things


And life flows on within you and without you
Sixth senses unite us and there is no death. Our existence is tied together.


We were talking
We were speaking


About the love that's gone so cold
The love that has grown cold


And the people
As well as the persons


Who gain the world and lose their soul
Those who have gained the whole world but have forfeited their soul


They don't know
They are oblivious


They can't see
They are unable to perceive


Are you one of them?
Could you be one of them?


When you've seen beyond yourself then you may find
When you have surpassed yourself then you may encounter


Peace of mind is waiting there
Serenity is eagerly waiting for you there


And the time will come when you see we're all one
And you will eventually see how we are all linked together


And life flows on within you and without you
Life is coming together through conscious understanding




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Harrison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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