Sweet Child O' Mine
by Taken By Trees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I stared too long
I'd probably break down and cry
Oh, Sweet child o' mine
Oh, Sweet child of mine
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly pass me by
She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Oh, Sweet child o' mine
Oh, Sweet child of mine
Oh, Sweet child o' mine
Oh, Sweet child of mine
The lyrics of "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Taken By Trees are a love song that speaks of the singer's connection to the subject of the song. The opening verses describe the singer's nostalgia for childhood memories, where everything was new and exciting. The subject of the song, with her smile and eyes like the bright blue sky and bluest skies, reminds the singer of those carefree days. However, she also reminds him of his vulnerability and the possibility of being overwhelmed by emotion: "And if I stared too long I'd probably break down and cry."
The chorus reinforces the feelings of affection and adoration the singer has for the subject with the repetition of "oh sweet child o' mine." One can interpret the phrase "sweet child o' mine" as the singer's affectionate nickname for the subject, emphasizing the singer's protective and loving nature.
The second verse, with its vivid imagery of the subject's hair providing a warm and safe place and her eyes that "thought of rain," adds depth and complexity to the song. The singer reveals his fear of seeing pain in the subject's eyes, which may evoke memories of his own past traumas.
Overall, the song speaks of both the beauty and fragility of love, and the emotional impact it can have on individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
She's got a smile that it seems to me
Her smile catches my attention and it appears to me as a defining feature.
Reminds me of childhood memories
It brings back memories of my childhood.
Where everything
During that time period when her smile reminds me of, everything...
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
...was new and exciting, like the wide-open sky on a clear day.
Now and then when I see her face
Occasionally, when I see her face...
She takes me away to that special place
...it transports me to a unique and treasured space in my mind.
And if I stared too long
However, if I were to gaze at her smile for too long...
I'd probably break down and cry
...it would likely overwhelm me with emotion, bringing me to tears.
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Similarly, her hair brings me back to feeling safe and secure as a child.
Where as a child I'd hide
I used to hide in that comforting feeling her hair invokes.
And pray for the thunder
During moments of fear or unease, I'd also pray for...
And the rain to quietly pass me by
...the storm to pass by without causing damage or harm.
She's got eyes of the bluest skies
Her eyes are a brilliant blue color, resembling the purest of skies.
As if they thought of rain
However, at times the depth of her gaze gives the impression that they are contemplating sadness or tears - like a sky that is on the brink of shedding raindrops.
I hate to look into those eyes
It's difficult for me to gaze into her eyes...
And see an ounce of pain
...and perceive even the slightest trace of discomfort or suffering that she may be experiencing.
Oh, Sweet child o' mine
Weighed down by these memories and emotions surrounding her, I express fondly:
Oh, Sweet child of mine
"Oh, my darling girl."
Oh, Sweet child o' mine
"Oh, my sweet child."
Oh, Sweet child of mine
"Oh, my sweet girl."
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: W. Axl Rose, Saul Hudson, Duff Rose McKagan, Izzy Stradlin, Steven Adler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind