Carry On Wayward Son
Yngwie J. Malmsteen Lyrics


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Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say

Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say

Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you

Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done




Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Carry on Wayward Son by Yngwie J. Malmsteen capture the essence of the human experience - struggles, hopes, and a yearning for peace. The song speaks to those who feel lost or uncertain, offering them hope and encouragement to keep going no matter how tough the road may be. As the singer rises above the noise and confusion and sets his course for winds of fortune, he realizes he is a mere mortal, tossed about on the stormy sea of emotions. He acknowledges his limitations and accepts that he isn't as wise as he thought he was. Nonetheless, he perseveres and hears the voices of encouragement and reassurance that tell him to carry on.


The chorus of Carry on Wayward Son repeats a mantra that is both powerful and hopeful - "carry on my wayward son, for there'll be peace when you are done, lay your weary head to rest, don't you cry no more." The lyrics suggest that no matter how difficult the journey may be, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and one should keep going with the hope that peace awaits them. The song's message is universal and has resonated with people for decades, making it a timeless classic.


Line by Line Meaning

Carry on my wayward son,
Keep going, my lost child,


For there'll be peace when you are done
One day you will find peace from all of this,


Lay your weary head to rest
Let yourself finally relax from all the struggles,


Don't you cry no more
No more tears, it's time to be strong.


Once I rose above the noise and confusion
There was a time I broke free from chaos,


Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
To see what is truly real beyond the surface,


I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
I climbed too high too fast and it was my downfall,


Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Even though I could see, I was still lost in darkness,


Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
Even though I could reason, I was still going insane,


I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say
In my dreams, I hear the whispers of my demons.


Masquerading as a man with a reason
I pretended to be a rational person,


My charade is the event of the season
But my performance is really the main show,


And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know
If I say I know everything, it really means I know nothing.


On a stormy sea of moving emotion
My feelings are turbulent like an ocean in a storm,


Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I'm being thrown around like a boat in rough waters,


I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say
I aimed for success, but my demons try to pull me down.


Carry on, you will always remember
Keep moving forward, you will always recall this moment.


Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Keep pushing, there's nothing as glorious as succeeding.


Now your life's no longer empty
Your life is no longer a void, you've filled it with purpose.


Surely heaven waits for you
The afterlife will welcome you with open arms.


Carry on my wayward son,
Keep going, my lost child,


For there'll be peace when you are done
One day you will find peace from all of this,


Lay your weary head to rest
Let yourself finally relax from all the struggles,


Don't you cry no more
No more tears, it's time to be strong.




Lyrics Š Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KERRY LIVGREN, KERRY A LIVGREN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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