Graveyard Poem
The Doors Lyrics


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It was the greatest night of my life
Although I still had not found a wife
I had my friends
Right there beside me
We were close together
We tripped the wall, we scaled the graveyard
Ancient shapes were all around us
The wet dew felt fresh beside the fog
Two made love in an ancient spot
One chased a rabbit into the dark
A girl got drunk and balled the dead
And I gave empty sermons to my head
Cemetary, cool and quiet




Hate to leave your sacred lay
Dread the milky coming of the day

Overall Meaning

The Doors' Graveyard Poem is a song that paints a dark and mystical picture of a night of escapades in a cemetery. The song opens with the singer describing it as the greatest night of his life, despite not finding a wife. He talks about the camaraderie with his friends as they tripped the wall and scaled the graveyard that was filled with ancient shapes. The wet dew and fog added to the surreal feeling of the moment.


The song takes a twisted turn as it mentions two people making love in an ancient location, a person chasing a rabbit into the dark, and a girl getting drunk and balled the dead. The singer also reflects on giving empty sermons to his head in the cemetery. The song ends with a melancholic tone as the singer expresses his dread for the arrival of morning and having to leave the cemetery.


Graveyard Poem is a song that embodies the themes of escapism, death, and spirituality. The lyrics create an eerie and haunting atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression. Jim Morrison's mesmerizing vocals add to the mystical vibe of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

It was the greatest night of my life
This particular night was the most memorable one for me.


Although I still had not found a wife
Despite being unmarried, this was still an amazing night.


I had my friends
My companions and confidantes were present there.


Right there beside me
They were beside me physically and emotionally.


We were close together
Our friendship and bond was strong and unbreakable.


We tripped the wall, we scaled the graveyard
We crossed over boundaries and entered the graveyard.


Ancient shapes were all around us
We saw symbolic shapes of antiquity around us.


The wet dew felt fresh beside the fog
The moist dew seemed comforting in the midst of fog.


Two made love in an ancient spot
A couple expressed their love in a significant location.


One chased a rabbit into the dark
Someone impulsively followed a rabbit in the darkness.


A girl got drunk and balled the dead
A woman drank excessively and flirted with the deceased.


And I gave empty sermons to my head
I had pointless and ineffective internal discussions.


Cemetery, cool and quiet
The graveyard was tranquil and serene.


Hate to leave your sacred lay
I didn't want to leave the peaceful isolation of the cemetery.


Dread the milky coming of the day
I was scared of the arrival of the insipid daylight.




Contributed by Carson L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

xana mata

6:49
It was the greatest night of my life.
Although I still had not found a wife
I had my friends
Right there beside me.
We were close together.
We tripped the wall, we scaled the graveyard
Ancient shapes were all around us.
The wet dew felt fresh beside the fog.
Two made love in an ancient spot
One chased a rabbit into the dark
A girl got drunk and balled the dead
And I gave empty sermons to my head.
Cemetary, cool and quiet
Hate to leave your sacred lay
Dread the milky coming of the day.



All comments from YouTube:

Tony Elliott

I'm an old man. Born 14/09/67. I've heard thousands of vocal and/or instrumental pieces in my life. I consider myself to be somewhat of an authority on "good or it sucks" performances. Take that as you will. It's not very often that I am impressed with live versions of studio performances of even my favorite bands or solo acts. And I have to say that this live performance by the Doors is absolutely without exception one of the best versions by an artist whether you enjoy their music and/or style or not. This live recording has such soul gripping perfection that it's able to entertain and satisfy even those who aren't even a devoted fan of them or their music. I'm so thankful it was captured and survives to this day. And also invokes the question of how many more perfect performances didn't get captured and never again will be heard or seen. Of the hundreds of performances that were done, many by the Doors were ruined because of Morrison's drunken and overindulgent drug use and sucked ass because of it. But this one, thank God, shows just how well Morrison could entertain when he was somewhat sober and his vocal and stage presence was a thing to behold. Even if you aren't a Doors fan give this at least one chance to see if it does get your attention. It's well worth the chance. This is only my opinion and and not necessarily anything other people agree with or care about but it's your loss if you live the rest of your life and not ever experience it at least one time...

joan mendoza

No se Ingles mi hermano...si pudieras mandar tu relato en español please...Se ve interesante..Saludos from Chile

Fasieh

I'd highly recommend you listen to Light my Fire, live at the Matrix, personally it is one of my favourite live versions of light my fire and has a much more unique sound compared to most versions of light my fire

Lord Jagged

Hrumph, I'm not an old man, and I was born in 66.

x D

Hey hey. You are not very old ;)

Daniel Marone

I am a year older than you and I am not old.

3 More Replies...

Willer Rodrigues

the best live version!! perfect..was always my favorite

Alexander Nixon

me too. Robby KILLS it in the solo along with RAY.

Jeff Mcfarland

FUCK DO YOU REALIZE HOW LONG IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS VERSION?????????? Everyone thinks i am crazy saying that there is a poem in the middle of the song. Im only 25 and i grew up with this version. I am delighted that i finally for to hear it again 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

Alexander Nixon

me too dude.

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