Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Lay Down Your Weary Tune
The Byrds Lyrics
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Lay down the song you strum
And rest yourself beneath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum
Struck by the sounds before the sun
I knew the night had gone
The morning breeze like a bugle blew
Lay down your weary tune, lay down
Lay down the song you strum
And rest yourself beneath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum
The ocean wild like an organ played
The seaweed wove and strands
The crashin' waves like cymbals clashed
Against the rocks and sands
Lay down your weary tune, lay down
Lay down the song you strum
And rest yourself beneath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum
The last of leaves fell from the trees
And clung to a new love's breast
The branches bare like a banjo monk
To the winds that listened the best
Lay down your weary tune, lay down
Lay down the song you strum
And rest yourself beneath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum
The lyrics to The Byrds's song Lay Down Your Weary Tune evoke a sense of tiredness and fatigue, encouraging the listener to lay down their burdens and take rest. The opening lines invite the listener to put aside the song they were singing, and rest beneath the strength of strings. The imagery of this verse is that of a musician who is weary of playing, and can no longer find the words to hum. The strength of the strings is a metaphor for a deep sense of security that comes with rest.
In the next verse, the singer observes the sounds of the morning, as the night fades away. He hears the morning breeze blowing like a bugle, heralding the arrival of the day. The imagery suggests a sense of hope and renewal that is often associated with the dawn. The chorus repeats, as if to emphasize the need to rest and take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The final verse is a beautiful and evocative depiction of the changing of the seasons. The singer observes the falling of the last of the leaves, which cling to a new love's breast like a symbol of renewal and growth. The banjo monk is an interesting metaphor, suggesting a sense of spiritual contemplation and reflection. The winds that listened the best signify the importance of being present and attentive to the beauty around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay down your weary tune, lay down
Take a break from playing your exhaustingly sad song
Lay down the song you strum
Put down the guitar that you've been strumming to play that song
And rest yourself beneath the strength of strings
Take a moment to relax under the beautiful music you've been creating
No voice can hope to hum
No human voice can match the beauty of the music
Struck by the sounds before the sun
I was awestruck by the music I heard before sunrise
I knew the night had gone
It was clear that night had passed and a new day began
The morning breeze like a bugle blew
The wind sounded like a trumpet signaling the morning had come
Against the drums of dawn
The wind was blowing against the sounds of a new day beginning
The ocean wild like an organ played
The sound of the rough ocean resembled that of an organ being played
The seaweed wove and strands
The seaweed in the ocean was interwoven like strands of hair
The crashin' waves like cymbals clashed
The sound of the waves were like the clashing of cymbals
Against the rocks and sands
The waves were crashing against the rocks and sand on the shore
The last of leaves fell from the trees
The autumn leaves had finally fallen from the trees
And clung to a new love's breast
The leaves were holding onto the chest of someone's new love
The branches bare like a banjo monk
The bare branches of the trees resembled the strings on a banjo
To the winds that listened the best
The wind that blew through the bare branches was the best listener of the music played on the banjo-like branches
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Max Merry
Arguably, the Byrds' finest Dylan cover. A great lead vocal by McGuinn and wonderful harmonies in the chorus, not to mention the glistening electric 12-string...Whew!
Carton Family Singers
Agree, and Dylan's most underrated song...
DucksDeLucks
I really like the drums but they don't come out as well in this remastered CD. The old lp was one of my faves.
x yz
It's a masterpiece!
Ed
Agreed.....
folkmusicgirl
I am always in awe when I hear The Byrds incredible version of this song. Their tight vocals, harmonies, arrangements are astounding! I was such a huge Bryds fan - had all their 60's LPs and played them on my parent's console style record player when I was very young. I was too young to see them at the clubs in Hollywood when they were playing on the Sunset Strip. Liked this song even more then their big hit "Tambourine Man."
DucksDeLucks
You and me both. We had a nice stereo and I loved to play those Byrds LPs. Great harmonies!
Ed
Seems we shared the band through our younger years and probably through our lifes..... Though i do still like Mr. Tambourine Man, i actually back in 65 preferred its b side and still do..... I didnt get to see the band live, being younger then ( pun intended) and living in Scotland was not so easy to arrange... However i did see Mcguinn twice, once in Milton Keynes, England and in Birmingham..... When i heard his twelve string, strum its first note in a venue that is quite small, it was as if i had been transported to heaven..... its a sound i will never forget....
Dale Sims
I've never seen them . I just think of the Byrds and the Beatles.
Michael Walker
I feel rested and peaceful after this song. One of Dylan's masterpieces, which The Byrds fully exploit.