Gomper
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

By the lake with lily flowers
Wallow away the evening hours
To and fro she's gently gliding
On the glassy lake she's riding

She swims to the side
The sun sees her dried
The birds hover high
I'd stifle a cry





The birds hover high
She moans with a sigh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Rolling Stones's Gomper are open to interpretation, but they seem to describe a peaceful scene by a lake populated with lily flowers. The singer describes an unidentified female figure who is gliding gently on the lake's calm waters. The serene atmosphere is further amplified by the presence of birds soaring high in the sky. However, the lyrics suggest that the mood is somewhat melancholic, as the singer seems to be suppressing a cry. Eventually, the woman in the water moans with a sigh, perhaps indicating some hidden sorrow or pain.


The ambiguity of the lyrics has led to multiple interpretations. One explanation could be that the singer is reminiscing about a past love that he lost. The woman on the lake could represent the memories of her, which he is trying to suppress. Alternatively, the lyrics could simply convey a moment of quiet reflection and introspection. Jagger and Richards were known for writing songs with opaque lyrics that left room for personal interpretation.


Line by Line Meaning

By the lake with lily flowers
We are situated next to a peaceful lake adorned with lovely lilies.


Wallow away the evening hours
We are passing our time leisurely, enjoying the serene atmosphere.


To and fro she's gently gliding
A woman is gracefully moving back and forth on the still surface of the water.


On the glassy lake she's riding
The woman is traversing on the motionless water, which reflects like glass.


She swims to the side
The lady swims towards the shore.


The sun sees her dried
The sun rays dry her body as she steps out of the water.


The birds hover high
The birds are soaring in the sky above us.


I'd stifle a cry
I have an urge to suppress an emotional outburst.


She moans with a sigh
The woman expresses her melancholy emotion through a sigh followed by a moan.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: KEITH RICHARDS, MICK JAGGER

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

tropicwave1

Gomper
The Rolling Stones
Produced by The Rolling Stones
Album: Their Satanic Majesties Request

By the lake with lily flowers
Wallow away the evening hours

To and fro she's gently gliding
On the glassy lake she's riding

She swims to the side
The sun sees her dried

The birds hover high
I'd stifle a cry

The birds hover high
She moans with a sigh

Songwriters: Keith Richards / Mick Jagger
Gomper lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc
Release Date: December 8, 1967



All comments from YouTube:

Kim Maddox

In my opinion one of stones best albums, why people dislike it is beyond me.

Robert Riordan

Because it's rubbish.

r

@Ashish Pandit melodious?? Tcshey were.Jagger and Richards wrote the lyrics but musically most was created by Jones and the use of a multitude of instruments. Thats why Jagger didn't like it. He wasn't in the limelight.This was very creative.

r

@Syfoll "very unoriginal" ???. Define Beatles's style.

r

@Syfoll Pepper has pop, and orchestration, and very little psychedelic imagery other than Lennons Lucy In The Sky, and Harrisons With in You and Without You. Songs like Shes Leaving Home, Lovely Rita and When I am 64 are far from psychedelic.Still a great album along with Loves Forever Changes which is good too.
.

Mike Reiss

@Syfoll What makes you think this copied Piper? THey were recorded around the same time. You seriously think the Stones went into the recording studio where Floyd were recording Piper and copied them? LOL.

42 More Replies...

Johann Jaritz

It is the merit of Brian Jones. He was the real mastermind of the Stones. Brilliant album.

Tim Crenshaw

I think the "flop" of this album is what killed Brian.

jmgmarcus

This album has always been scoffed at. No idea why, it's fantastic.

Daniel Linehan

Who cares- they laughed at Van Gogh

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