1968 album=Astral Weeks
Ballerina
Van Morrison Lyrics
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Come on fly awhile
Straight to my arms
Little angel child
You know you only
Lonely twenty-two story block
And if somebody, not just anybody
For instance, me, baby
All you gotta do
Is ring a bell
Step right up, step right up
And step right up
Ballerina
Crowd will catch you
Fly it, sigh it, try it
Well, I may be wrong
But something deep in my heart tells me I'm right and I don't think so
You know I saw the writing on the wall
When you came up to me
Child, you were heading for a fall
But if it gets to you
And you feel like you just can't go on
All you gotta do
Is ring a bell
Step right up, and step right up
And step right up
Just like a ballerina
Stepping lightly
Alright, well it's getting late
Yes it is, yes it is
And this time I forget to slip into your slumber
The light is on the left side of your head
And I'm standing in your doorway
And I'm mumbling and I can't remember the last thing that ran through my head
Here come a man, here come a man and he say, he say the show must go on
So all you gotta do
Is ring the bell
And step right up, and step right up
And step right up
Just like a ballerina, yeah, yeah
Crowd will catch you
Fly it, sigh it, c'mon, die it, yeah
Just like a ballerina
Just like a, just like a, just like a, just like a ballerina
Get on up, get on up, keep a-moving, moving on, moving on, moving on up
Little bit higher, baby
You know, you know, you know, get on up baby
Alright, a-keep on, a-keep on, a-keep on pushing, keep on, keep on pushing
Stepping lightly
Just like a ballerina
Ooo-we baby, take off your shoes
Working on
Just like a ballerina
Van Morrison's "Ballerina" is a song that explores the theme of change and growth. The opening verse of the song addresses an angelic character who has been living in a twenty-two story block and is feeling lonely. Van Morrison is inviting this person to come and fly to him, where they will be embraced in his arms. The second verse of the song is directed at the same character, and it suggests that the person is heading towards a disaster. Van Morrison believes that he can save the person, and he assures the character that all he needs to do is ring a bell, and Van Morrison's help will be provided.
The chorus of the song encourages the character to step right up and step right up, just like a ballerina. Van Morrison assures the character that they will be caught by the crowd if they try to fly, and they can go on and on if they ring the bell. The last verse of the song shows Van Morrison standing at the door of the character who is about to leave him, and he seems to be lost in thought. A man comes in and tells him that the show must go on, and again, Van Morrison encourages the character to step right up and ring the bell. The overall message of the song is that change is hard, but it is necessary for growth, and that you should never be hesitant to ask for help when you need it.
Line by Line Meaning
Spread your wings
Open yourself up to new experiences and opportunities
Come on fly awhile
Take a chance and live in the moment
Straight to my arms
Approach me without any hesitation
Little angel child
You are innocent and pure at heart
You know you only
You understand that you are alone
Lonely twenty-two story block
You are living in isolation in a tall building
And if somebody, not just anybody
If a particular someone, and not just anyone else
Wanted to get close to you
Felt a desire to be near you
For instance, me, baby
That someone is me, my love
All you gotta do
All you need to do
Is ring a bell
Signal me in some way, and I will be there for you
Step right up, step right up
Come closer, don't be shy
Ballerina
You are graceful and delicate
Crowd will catch you
People will support and protect you
Fly it, sigh it, try it
Take a chance and experiment with new things
Well, I may be wrong
I recognize that things may not go as expected
But something deep in my heart tells me I'm right and I don't think so
I have faith that everything will work out, despite some doubts
You know I saw the writing on the wall
I recognized a sign of trouble or difficulty in your future
When you came up to me
When you approached me for help or advice
Child, you were heading for a fall
You were on the verge of experiencing a crisis or setback
But if it gets to you
If things start to become overwhelming or unbearable
And you feel like you just can't go on
You feel like you cannot handle the situation anymore
All you gotta do
You only need to
Is ring a bell
Tell me that you need my help, and I will be there for you
Just like a ballerina
Be strong and graceful in the face of adversity
Stepping lightly
Moving forward without fear or hesitation
Alright, well it's getting late
Time is running out, and we need to act fast
Yes it is, yes it is
Things are more urgent than ever
And this time I forget to slip into your slumber
I was too distracted to comfort you or provide support
The light is on the left side of your head
Your mind or spirit is in a vulnerable state
And I'm standing in your doorway
I am here for you, ready to help in any way I can
And I'm mumbling and I can't remember the last thing that ran through my head
I am struggling to articulate my concerns or thoughts coherently
Here come a man, here come a man and he say, he say the show must go on
Even when things are tough, we need to keep going and persevering
So all you gotta do
All you need to do is
Is ring the bell
Let me know that you need my help, and I will be there for you
Get on up, get on up, keep a-moving, moving on, moving on, moving on up
Pick yourself up and keep pushing forward
Little bit higher, baby
Raise your sights and aim for something better
You know, you know, you know, get on up baby
You have the strength and resilience to overcome any challenge
A-keep on, a-keep on, a-keep on pushing, keep on, keep on pushing
Never give up and keep striving for success
Just like a ballerina
Be poised and confident, even when things are tough
Ooo-we baby, take off your shoes
Relax and let go of your worries and burdens
Working on
We are making progress, even when it doesn't seem like it
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@karenrakes1641
God has blessed this man with a great talent!🤗❤
@rolandbosley1174
Some people go to church....the rest of us listen to this man!
@francescurran3986
I do both😂
@dougtatom
Me to
@petermatthew123
Some of us do both! :)
@sjheiffus
Some do both!
@democracymontano
Amen, allejuyah, Ojallah!!!!
@mikejalak1665
Viewing this took me on a journey from a place of darkness to a place of light; blessings to Mr. Van Morrison- you’ve always had a special place in my soul - mike
@rogerbaggett5207
My bucket list starts with seeing Van and his full band before I move on!
@acudoc1949
Van Morrison doesn't MAKE music...he IS music.