Bridge Over Troubled Waters lyrics by Paul Simon, 9 meanings. Bridge Over Troubled Waters explained, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
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Paul Simon – Bridge Over Troubled Waters lyrics
When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

I'm on your side

When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down


When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you

I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine
When need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like
a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like
a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
×



Lyrics taken from /lyrics/p/paul_simon/bridge_over_troubled_waters.html

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Songwriters: Paul Simon
Bridge Over Troubled Waters lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Corrected by LongHairedLady

Bridge Over Troubled Waters meanings Post my meaning

  • d
    + 8
    Deanw
    I believe the following to be the ULTIMATE meaning:

    When you're weary
    Feeling small
    When tears are in your eyes
    I will dry them all
    I'm on your side

    Typical hardship of mundane existence. Feeling lost. Being aware of the lower self only. Not realizing that we have a dormant Higher Self or Divine spark ("Savior") which is awaiting our realization. Once truly realized, this Higher Self will "take away all tears" because the divine spark within us is "for us" and not against us. This Light within is "on our side" because it is the Light of the universe to which we all belong. No more seeing ourselves as separate entities. We are all ONE once this inner Light is turned on, though in essence we have always been one, but just blinded to this knowledge by our lower self/EGO.

    When times get rough
    And friends just can't be found
    Like a bridge over troubled water
    I will lay me down
    Like a bridge over troubled water
    I will lay me down

    The Bridge is the "highway" (recorded in many religious metaphors) that carries us from this world of woe to Higher consciousness and realization. This "Bridge" is the ONLY "way" to true Life. Metaphorically speaking, this Bridge, Highway or "Savior" "lays itself down" for us (on our behalf) that we may pass over it and escape the hell of this lower mundane life of suffering which is due to our spiritual blindness.

    When you're down and out
    When you're on the street
    When evening falls so hard
    I will comfort you
    I'll take your part

    We all experience different and various degrees of suffering. Once we begin to truly realize that we have been imprisoned to our lower Ego, the Bridge will appear and we will be comforted from this time on... forever. Our inner Light or Higher Self will now "take our part" over these earthly sorrows... and "dry away all tears".

    When darkness comes
    And pain is all around
    Like a bridge over troubled water
    I will lay me down
    Like a bridge over troubled water
    I will lay me down

    Trails and tribulations can become intense. Unenlightened humanity is like the turbulent sea that cannot rest. This Bridge to peace is always dwelling just "above" these troubled waters, in the person of one's "Higher" Consciousness... always waiting for us to cross.

    Sail on Silver Girl,
    Sail on by

    Once we realize the reality of this Bridge, our lives become "smooth sailing" from here on out. Most definitely "smooth sailing" as compared to our lives as "troubled waters". Metaphorically speaking, all people who are on this bridge are known as "virgins" (in the main religions of the world) ... "virgins" because they have a new life altogether now and are "pure" because of their Higher understanding. They now realize that they are not separate beings, but rather eternal consciousness ... therefore they are not "defiled" with the lower-thinking limitations of the Ego. These "silver" virgins (girls) have escaped the troubled waters and are now reflecting divine inner light from their Higher Self... as the moon reflects its light from the source.

    Your time has come to shine
    All your dreams are on their way
    See how they shine

    It is finally their time to "shine". They are now radiant beings who realize their true connection to the universe. Their "dreams" are manifesting now... not the desirous, materialistic "dreams" of the ego, but rather "dreams" of true peace and rest and joy which can only be found by crossing the Bridge. See how they shine! To shine is to ascend or bloom into Higher radiant consciousness.

    If you need a friend
    I'm sailing right behind

    This "Bridge" is also your "friend". Your Higher Self has always been and always will be your "Friend". It will never leave you nor forsake you. Therefore, when you need a "friend" your inner LIGHT is always there... always traveling with you.

    Like a bridge over troubled water
    I will ease your mind
    Like a bridge over troubled water
    I will ease your mind

    The lower earth-bound "mind" is the source of all sorrow. This is standard knowledge among the ancient wisdom writings of the world. This is what all main religions of the world metaphorically point to. This is the core teaching of them all. When we realize our Higher Self (Bridge), we finally become "awakened" or "liberated" or "enlightened" or "saved". Our "minds" have been "eased" to say the least!

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  • m
    + 8
    MSB48
    The genius here is in the "bridge" and not the "troubled water." Perhaps a buoy or a raft might be more obvious. The troubles surround and engulf you, but there is something (or someone) to hold on to in the torrent. A bridge, on the other hand, is apart from and above the troubling currents. The bridge is a more subtle and less blatant metaphor, and suggests a better path than merely a lifesaver. While the bridge is more uplifting and therefore in sync with the "Sail on Silvergirl" verse, it is difficult to figure how "sailing on". Fits with taking a bridge over the water. But it works - as poetry. So I'll just leave it alone. As an aside, the text (in its "friend" reference, "shining" times ahead, "sailing right behind", and "easing your mind"), and the swelling (encouragement) in the Gospel music, and Paul Simon's explanation that the "Silvergirl" was his wife who saw a gray hair, all seem to divert from a drug-related interpretation.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 7
    Unregistered
    Life is simple, it just isn't easy. This song is simple. It is about being a friend. We all have times in our lives when we are down, sometimes way down. During those times, a friend who loves us unconditionally can be the bridge we need to get over the troubled water.
    The last verse was added as an afterthought and paul simon never felt it belonged in the song. Neither do i.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 5
    Unregistered
    Per history on this song written by simon who said it came out of nowhere and who called it 'a tiny hymn' before the recording companys got ahold of it. I would think it means many different things to many different people however I think it was meant to be a message from god, our 'bridge over troubled waters' and the 'silver girl' is the moon that 'I'm sailing right behind' indicating 'where he's coming from' so to speak:)
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  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered
    It's saying that this person will comfort you when you think everyone is on your case and your world is turned upside down. It is saying that if you are going to die then now is your chance to truly live. Also if you've made errors this person is willing to give you back your confidence and make you feel like you are important and are worth everything. The person singing it are saying that no matter what the circumstances are they will help and that life is not about regrets. The troubled water are the person who he's speaking to's problems and the singer is saying that he will solve them out of the kindness of their heart.
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  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    I have read these interpretations with great interest. For me, the man supporting the woman through troubled times is the romantic meaning which I cherish, but I think there is another darker meaning. It could be about dying. "when darkness comes and pain is all around" he will be there for her. And the uplifting verse "sail on silver girl, your time has come to shine" could be the moment of death, of release. Sounds a bit morbid I know but it could explain the difference in tone from the sadness and the pain to the final moment of letting go.
    1 reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    Earlier in the song he's speaking to a just a friend (male?) in hard times. The song transcends specific situations. What important is understanding the last half of the song. About the "silver girl". He's speaking to a female friend who is dying. The "silver girl" is the one that is dying. It's her "time to shine" (the ultimatum, the greatest accomplishment we all achieve is dying. And dying gracefully) and he is there to be her bridge into the after life. He's there to burden all her pain and fear about what comes after. He's telling her he is there, coming right behind her, letting her know that everyone dies, she's not alone, and he's there to ease her mind. This is one of the greatest songs ever. A lot of people shy away from death. He's there to confront it. To stare it in the face and lay himself down to share the experience. Everyone deserves a friend like this. I'm making a consciences effort to be that for my friends, to be a rock they can hold on to. To be someone who's going to be there at the end, no matter what. To hold them, to listen, to stroke their head or cup their cheek. To tell them everything is going to be ok. To kiss them passionately. Whatever it takes. Dying is the scariest thing we experience and we shouldn't do it alone. Believe me. That's why people end up having children who always swore they wouldn't. They want someone who is guaranteed to be there at the end. =) the irony is that 90% of parents s*w up and have children who resent them. But c'mon. Who can blame them? Having children is a completely selfish act designed to make the birth parents feel better about themselves and give their lives perceived "purpose". What "purpose" that is yet undetermined. Lol people really think just having children is what the world needs. Cmon! That is the last thing we need! Stop having babies for christ sake! We are such arrogant pricks. Anyway! Sorry for the side rant. Don't be afraid to be there for someone and don't be afraid to ask someone to be there. Love.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    Earlier in the song he's speaking to a friend in hard times. The song transcends specific situations. What important is understanding the last half of the song. About the "silver girl". He's speaking to a female friend who is dying. The "silver girl" is the one that is dying. It's her "time to shine" (the ultimatum, the greatest accomplishment we all achieve is dying. And dying gracefully) and he is there to be her bridge into the after life. He's there to burden all her pain and fear about what comes after. He's telling her he is there, coming right behind her, letting her know that everyone dies, she's not alone, and he's there to ease her mind. This is one of the greatest songs ever. A lot of people shy away from death. He's there to confront it. To stare it in the face and lay himself down to share the experience. Everyone deserves a friend like this. I'm making a consciences effort to be that for my friends, to be a rock they can hold on to. To be someone who's going to be there at the end, no matter what. To hold them, to listen, to stroke their head or cup their cheek. To tell them everything is going to be ok. To kiss them passionately. Whatever it takes. Dying is the scariest thing we experience and we shouldn't do it alone. Don't be afraid to be there for someone and don't be afraid to ask someone to be there. Love.
    Add your reply
  • U
    - 5
    Unregistered
    When you're down and out, when you're on the street when evening falls so hard, i'll comfort you. C'mon, seriously the song is about heroin.
    "silver girl" also known as a "silver bird" is a reference an old fashioned hyperdermic needle that had the two "wings" on top for your fingers with the plunger in the middle. "I'm sailing right behind. Damn straight cuz I'm loaded too. Now go read the lyrics again and see the I'm right. And you don't have to stretch anything to make it fit.
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    Top meanings Post my meaning

    • d
      + 8
      Deanw
      I believe the following to be the ULTIMATE meaning:

      When you're weary
      Feeling small
      When tears are... Read more →
    • m
      + 8
      MSB48
      The genius here is in the "bridge" and not the "troubled water." Perhaps a buoy or a raft might... Read more →

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