Toy Boat
Yoko Ono Lyrics


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I'm waiting for a boat to help me out of here
Waiting for a boat to help me out
The boat that reached my shore was a toy boat
Waiting for a boat to help me out

I'm dreaming of a lake I've never seen before
Dreaming of a lake I've never seen
The lake I've seen last was a picture lake
Dreaming of a lake I've never seen

You who are
You who are
Help me out, help me out
Help me out of here

I'm thinking of a castle on atop a hill
Thinking of a castle on atop a hill
The castle I've been to was full of flies
Thinking of a castle on atop a hill

You who are
You who are
Help me out, help me out
Help me out of here

You who are
You who are
Help me out, help me out
Help me out of here

I'm waiting for a boat to help me out of here
Waiting for a boat to help me out
The boat that reached my shore was a toy boat
Waiting for a boat to help me out

You who are
You who are
Help me out, help me out
Help me out of here

You who are
You who are




Help me out, help me out
Help me out of here

Overall Meaning

Yoko Ono's Toy Boat features a dreamy and introspective tone, with lyrics that evoke a sense of longing for escape and new experiences. At the beginning of the song, the singer is waiting for a boat to take them away from their current location. The repetition of this line emphasizes the feeling of being stuck and the desire for something outside of their current situation. The boat that ultimately arrives is a toy boat, contrasting with the expectation of a serious vessel. This toy boat points to the idea that the means of escape may not be what one expects, or that even small things can bring a sense of liberation.


The second section of the song focuses on the idea of dreaming about a lake that the singer has never seen before. The previous lake they saw was through a picture, highlighting the disconnect between reality and perception. The singer is yearning for something new and unknown, rather than something they have already experienced or seen.


The final section of the song refocuses on the idea of waiting for help to escape, this time in the form of a castle on top of a hill. However, the castle the singer has already been to was full of flies, indicating that past experiences have not met their expectations. The final repetition of the line "help me out of here" emphasizes the singer's desperation for escape and something new.


Overall, the song's lyrics seem to be centered around the idea of feeling stuck and longing for something new and different. The repetition of certain lines gives the song a hypnotic quality, emphasizing the feeling of being stuck in a loop. The toy boat, lake, and castle all represent different means of escape, but also highlight the discrepancy between expectations and reality.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm waiting for a boat to help me out of here
I'm stuck in a situation and waiting for someone or something to rescue me.


Waiting for a boat to help me out
I need help to escape this predicament.


The boat that reached my shore was a toy boat
The help I received was not what I expected nor sufficient.


I'm dreaming of a lake I've never seen before
I long for a better place or situation that I've never experienced before.


The lake I've seen last was a picture lake
The last time I had hope for a better situation or place, it was only an illusion.


You who are Help me out, help me out Help me out of here
I'm calling out for help and begging for assistance from anyone.


I'm thinking of a castle on atop a hill
I have a vision of a better life, represented by a castle on top of a hill.


The castle I've been to was full of flies
The last time I hoped for a better life, it was ruined by negative experiences or situations.


You who are
I'm addressing anyone who's listening or reading these words.


I'm waiting for a boat to help me out of here
I'm still in need of help and my situation has not changed.


You who are Help me out, help me out Help me out of here
I'm desperate and pleading for someone to come to my aid.


You who are Help me out, help me out Help me out of here
I'm still in need of help and asking whoever is listening to come to my rescue.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: YOKO ONO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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