Born Too Late
The Clarks Lyrics


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Vincent, will you teach me how to paint?
Theresa, will I ever be a saint?
John, I really think your songs are great
I was born too late

William, will you teach me how to write?
And Cassius, will you show me how to fight?
Thomas A, I think I see the light
I was born tonight

I've hard time leaving this town
I've been losing everything that I've found
I'm gonna search the sky, kissed the ground
Build it up and tear it back down

I've had a hard time leaving this place
I've been counting all the lines on my face
I'm gonna curse the sky, hit the ground
What goes up comes tumbling down, tumbling down

Jimi, show me how you played that thing
Elvis, will I ever be a king?
And Jerry, all the joy and love you bring
I was born to sing

Martin Luther King, show me the way
Jesus, Buddha, teach me how to pray
Christopher, I think I see the bay
I was born today, I was born today
I was born today, I was born today




I was born today, I was born today
I was born today, I was born today

Overall Meaning

The Clarks's song Born Too Late is a poignant representation of the discontentment of youth and the longing for guidance from influential figures. The first verse of the song addresses Vincent, Theresa, and John respectively, seeking to learn the art of painting, the possibility of sainthood, and the skill of songwriting from them. The singer expresses admiration for their talents, lamenting the fact that they were "born too late" to witness or benefit from their mastery. The second verse continues in the same vein, with the singer seeking guidance from William, Cassius, and Thomas A, aspiring to learn writing, fighting, and knowledge from them. In the chorus, the singer emphasizes their frustration at being born in the wrong era and the challenges that come with it.


The third and fourth verses of the song reflect on the singer's struggle to leave their town and the difficulties they have faced, such as losing what they have found. The singer resolves to "search the sky, kissed the ground" and "curse the sky, hit the ground" - actions that suggest a focus on moving forward despite the challenges that they face. The song concludes with a final verse that references notable figures such as Martin Luther King, Jesus, Buddha, and Christopher. The singer asks them to show him the way, teaching him how to pray, and showing him the path towards the bay. The final repetition of "I was born today" suggests a sense of hopefulness for a new beginning.


Overall, the song Born Too Late speaks to the longing for guidance and mentorship that many young people experience. The singer seeks enlightenment and inspiration from talented individuals in a range of fields, expressing their admiration and desire for knowledge. At the same time, the song acknowledges the challenges of youth, whether it is leaving one's hometown or facing prejudice and misconception based on age. The song's final lines suggest that despite the difficulties, there is always the possibility for growth and new beginnings.


Line by Line Meaning

Vincent, will you teach me how to paint?
Asking a mentor for guidance and education in the arts


Theresa, will I ever be a saint?
Questioning one's own morality and potential for greatness


John, I really think your songs are great
Complimenting and idolizing a musician's work


I was born too late
Feeling disconnected from a desired time period or generation


William, will you teach me how to write?
Asking a mentor for guidance and education in writing


And Cassius, will you show me how to fight?
Asking a mentor for guidance and education in physical combat


Thomas A, I think I see the light
Acknowledging one's own enlightenment or understanding


I was born tonight
Feeling reborn or renewed after newfound knowledge or inspiration


I've hard time leaving this town
Struggling to move on from one's past or comfort zone


I've been losing everything that I've found
Experiencing setbacks despite efforts to progress


I'm gonna search the sky, kissed the ground
Finding hope and determination despite adversity


Build it up and tear it back down
Experiencing a cycle of creation and destruction in one's endeavors


I've had a hard time leaving this place
Struggling to move on from one's past or comfort zone


I've been counting all the lines on my face
Feeling weighed down by the burdens of life and age


I'm gonna curse the sky, hit the ground
Expressing frustration and anger towards life's challenges


What goes up comes tumbling down, tumbling down
Acknowledging the inevitability of failure and loss


Jimi, show me how you played that thing
Idolizing and seeking guidance from a legendary musician


Elvis, will I ever be a king?
Questioning one's own potential for greatness and fame


And Jerry, all the joy and love you bring
Complimenting and idolizing a musician's work


I was born to sing
Feeling destined or called to pursue a career in music


Martin Luther King, show me the way
Idolizing and seeking guidance from a legendary civil rights leader


Jesus, Buddha, teach me how to pray
Seeking spiritual guidance and connection


Christopher, I think I see the bay
Discovering new horizons and potential opportunities


I was born today, I was born today
Feeling reborn or renewed after newfound knowledge or inspiration


I was born today, I was born today
Feeling reborn or renewed after newfound knowledge or inspiration


I was born today, I was born today
Feeling reborn or renewed after newfound knowledge or inspiration


I was born today, I was born today
Feeling reborn or renewed after newfound knowledge or inspiration




Lyrics © TUNECORE INC
Written by: David Minarik, Greg Joseph, Robert Hertweck, Scott Blasey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Darius

Vincent, will you teach me how to paint?
Teresa, will I ever be a saint?
And John, I really think your songs are great
I was born too late

And William, will you teach me how to write?
And Cassius, will you show me how to fight?
And Thomas, hey, I think I see the light
I was born tonight

I've had a hard time leaving this town
I've been losing everything that I've found
I'm gonna search the sky, kiss the ground
Build it up and tear it back down

And Jimi, show me how you play that thing
And Elvis, will I ever be a king?
And Jerry, all the joy and love you bring
I was born to sing

Martin Luther King, show me the way
Jesus, Buddha, teach me how to pray
Christopher, I think I see the bay
I was born today

I've had a hard time leaving this town
I've been losing everything that I've found
I'm gonna search the sky, kiss the ground
Build it up and tear it back down

I've had a hard time leaving this place
I've been counting all the lines on my face
I'm gonna curse the sky, hit the ground
What goes up comes tumbling down
Tumbling down



All comments from YouTube:

PulverSilva101

One of the most well written songs Ive ever heard...

Zack Kerr

couldn't have said it better

Scott

Hands down, the most underrated band of all time

SKI449

I saw Scott preform last night. It was awesome!

Ozzy Films

Just saw the Clarks play today at a local park! They are still just as good as they were back then!

Shane Morgan

i really dont see why they arent more popular than they already are. I love their music, and when i saw them everything was absolutely perfect. A hell of a lot better than most stuff played on the radio today

Bill Roland

They should be in the rock hall of fame!

Firepants20

Spotify recommended this song to me a couple weeks ago... Been addicted since. This song is perfection.

Kyle McClanahan

Firepants20 Spotify did the same for me!

dfas dsfas

amazing i used to like rap but once i grew up and got more mature i realize rock is the best this group is a Pittsburgh original thank you Clarks

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