Across The Universe
The Beatles (Co.Ver.) Lyrics
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Endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe.
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
Are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai Guru Deva. Om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images of broken light, which
Dance before me like a million eyes,
They call me on and on across the universe.
Thoughts meander like a
Restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe.
Jai Guru Deva. Om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of life
Are ringing through my opened ears
Inciting and inviting me.
Limitless undying love, which
Shines around me like a million suns,
It calls me on and on across the universe
Jai Guru Deva, om.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
The opening lines of ‘Across The Universe’ by The Beatles have a dream-like quality, describing a flow of words that never ends, like rain filling up a paper cup. However, these words are slippery, "slithering wildly as they slip away" like an elusive dream. The song then shifts to another image- that of mixed emotions, sorrow, and joy that are bouncing around the songwriter's mind. These emotions are not conflicting but rather exist together within the songwriter's opened mind, caressing and possessing him.
The repeated phrase, ‘Jai guru deva om’ serves as the key and only Indian phrase in the song. The Sanskrit-based phrase is interpreted as ‘I give thanks to the guru-dev (the divine teacher in all of us) om', which is a mantra popularized by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, The Beatles' spiritual advisor. The song's chorus is structured around the phrase, "Nothing's gonna change my world," implying the singer's unwavering, hopeful spirit amidst the chaos of the universe.
The images of broken light and dancing eyes portray a psychedelic ambiance that sounds like a journey across the cosmos. The thoughts are compared to a restless wind and a letterbox through which they tumble blindly across the universe, suggesting our thoughts’ chaotic, unguided nature. The songwriter then hears laughter and sounds of life, inciting and inviting him, further emphasizing that the universe is a living breathing entity, calling all to participate in its magical dance. The song's climax reaches its peak with the limitless, undying love that shines around the singer like a million suns, illuminating the universe and calling him on and on, represented by the repeated ‘Jai guru deva om.’
Line by Line Meaning
Words are flowing out like
The writer's thoughts and emotions are effortlessly pouring out of them like a steady stream.
Endless rain into a paper cup
Their words are being caught and contained, yet still continuing to flow without end.
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe.
The writer's thoughts are moving and changing direction unpredictably and without control.
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
The writer is experiencing a range of emotions, both happy and sad.
Are drifting through my opened mind
The writer is open to and allowing themselves to fully experience all of their emotions.
Possessing and caressing me.
The writer feels deeply affected and controlled by their emotions.
Jai Guru Deva. Om
A mantra repeated to promote inner peace and harmony.
Nothing's gonna change my world
The world as the writer knows it will remain the same despite any outside changes.
Images of broken light, which
The writer is seeing fragmented and distorted images in their mind's eye.
Dance before me like a million eyes,
The images are moving and alive, resembling countless pairs of eyes watching the writer.
They call me on and on across the universe.
The images are like a beckoning force, pulling the writer towards them across time and space.
Thoughts meander like a
The writer's thoughts are wandering aimlessly and without clear direction.
Restless wind inside a letter box
The thoughts are moving chaotically and trapped with no way out.
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe.
The thoughts are moving without guidance or a clear path, yet still moving forward across the vast expanse of the universe.
Sounds of laughter, shades of life
The writer is hearing and experiencing a range of emotions and experiences.
Are ringing through my opened ears
The writer is fully and openly embracing all of these experiences and emotions.
Inciting and inviting me.
The experiences and emotions are inspiring and enticing the writer to further engage with them.
Limitless undying love, which
The writer is experiencing an all-encompassing, never-ending love.
Shines around me like a million suns,
The love is bright, powerful, and radiant, enveloping the writer with its warmth and energy.
It calls me on and on across the universe
The love is a guiding force, drawing the writer forward and connecting them with all of creation.
Jai Guru Deva, om.
The writer continues to recite the peaceful mantra to promote inner stillness and quiet reflection.
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
Jai Guru Deva
The writer is repeating the mantra several times to deepen their sense of calm and connection with the universe.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind