Dear Prudence
The Beats Lyrics


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Dear Prudence
Won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence
Greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful, and so are you
Dear Prudence
Won't you come out to play?

Dear Prudence
Open up your eyes
Dear Prudence
See the sunny skies
The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence
Won't you open up your eyes?

Look around, 'round
('Round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round)
Look around, 'round, 'round
('Round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round)
Look around

Dear Prudence
Let me see you smile
Dear Prudence
Like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Dear Prudence
Won't you let me see you smile?

Dear Prudence
Won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence
Greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful, and so are you




Dear Prudence
Won't you come out to play?

Overall Meaning

The Beatles' song "Dear Prudence" was written by John Lennon in India during the group's spiritual retreat with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The song is dedicated to Prudence Farrow, the younger sister of actress Mia Farrow, who was also part of the group's retreat. Prudence was very serious about her meditation practice and would spend hours alone in her hut. She was so immersed in her meditation that she refused to come out or socialize with the other members of the group. John Lennon wrote "Dear Prudence" as an invitation to her to come out, enjoy the beauty around her, and live life more fully.


The song's lyrics encourage Prudence to come out and enjoy the beauty of the day. The opening lines, "Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? / Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day," are a gentle invitation to her to join them. The chorus repeats this theme, using words like "open up your eyes" and "let me see you smile" to encourage her to engage with the world around her. The middle section, "Look around, 'round / ('Round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round) / Look around, 'round, 'round / ('Round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round)," is a call to mindfulness and an invitation to Prudence to take notice of the world.


The song's simple, joyful melody reflects the lightness and playfulness of the lyrics, and the use of guitar and percussion creates a soothing, uplifting sound. "Dear Prudence" is a tribute to the power of mindfulness and the beauty of the natural world, and a reminder to not take life too seriously.


Line by Line Meaning

Dear Prudence Won't you come out to play?
Asks Prudence to come out and spend time with the singer.


Dear Prudence Greet the brand new day The sun is up, the sky is blue It's beautiful, and so are you Dear Prudence Won't you come out to play?
Encourages Prudence to embrace the beauty and opportunities of a new day and join the singer in enjoying it.


Dear Prudence Open up your eyes Dear Prudence See the sunny skies The wind is low, the birds will sing That you are part of everything Dear Prudence Won't you open up your eyes?
Urges Prudence to be aware of the world around her and recognize her place in it.


Look around, 'round ('Round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round) Look around, 'round, 'round ('Round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round)
Reinforces the idea that Prudence should take a closer look at her surroundings and appreciate them.


Dear Prudence Let me see you smile Dear Prudence Like a little child The clouds will be a daisy chain So let me see you smile again Dear Prudence Won't you let me see you smile?
Tries to cheer up Prudence and bring out her inner happiness, comparing it to the innocence of a child's smile.




Contributed by Michael N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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