Lyrics for Across the Universe as interpreted by Ice

Across the Universe Lyrics
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letterbox
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world

Sounds of laughter, shades of earth are ringing through my open mind
Inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world
Nothing's going to change my world

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0cool
01-06-2002

Rated -1 
I agree weez, this song is awesome. I was given a "The Beatles" magazine for Christmas and was upset because this song was listed as a George Harrison song, but I clearly knew it wasn't. Stupid magazine.

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weezerific:cutlery
01-09-2002

Rated 0 
I know! I saw that too!! how evil is that..and it claims to be a beatles fan mag. this song owns me...*sigh* the way john sings it is so beautiful.

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slashess
01-23-2002

Rated +1 
Anyone know what "Jai Guru De Va Om" means? thanks.

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1 Reply
song4julia
01-24-2002

Rated 0 
I'd like to know too. Somehow, I don't think it means anything.

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aniota
01-29-2002

Rated +3 
Here is what i found: "The line "jai guru deva om" is a mantra of John's designed to help him concentrate while meditating, something he was into at the time. It means roughly "Glory to the spiritual master" and has the focusing sound "omm" at the end. (Translation varies according to particular level of Sanskrit used for divination.)"

I found that here http://www.recmusicbeatles.com/public/files/faqs/said.html i hope that helps. :)

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Apeiron
01-31-2002

Rated 0 
This song is one of the best I've ever heard since I was born. The experience in hearing this, only can be compared to the "inner-uterin" season or something higher than that. It's even higher than to do drugs and it doesn't destroy you (as drugs do). ps.: I've never done drugs, but I can imagine how it is to be.

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Novartza
02-11-2002

Rated 0 
I was always curious about the line in Sanscrit and never knew the words, let alone their meaning :) Now thanks to this site I do :)

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magdalenaangel
02-14-2002

Rated 0 
yeah, thanx, i was very curious to what that meant and now i know.

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blakerae
03-07-2002

Rated +4 
I really love to listen to this song. I'm quite sure what he is actually referring to when the song was written, but my interpretation would be the following: Perhaps there is hope for peace or love through words and thoughts. Maybe such words of joy, happiness and even sorrow are contagious. "Words are flying out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe." I think these words encourage the belief that such words of meaning and feeling, when spoken, can be passed on from person to the next just by the very sound of them and thoughts of them. The very idea that love or sorrow exists, allows for love or sorrow to actually be. Pass it on, those feelings and thoughts. "Sounds of laughter shades of earth are ringing
Through my open views inciting and inviting me.
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns,
It calls me on and on across the universe" -here it is explained how he is surrounded by words of feeling and hope. encouraged by words of all people around the world. not just a certain race or religion....just the kindness of humanity across all of the universe.


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3 Replies
milindmk
03-18-2002

Rated 0 
The literal translation of Jai Guru Deva would be something as follows:- Jai implies Glory; Guru means Master and Deva is God. Om is a sanskrit word which Hindus use liberally at work, at the beginning of any event, festivals and prayers.
Be that as it may, this is a lovely song; I especially love the sound of the sitar at the beginning. Since George was crazy about sitars, perhaps a lot of fans thought that this song was written by him. Moreover, George was completely immersed in Hinduism and the lyrics of this song are more or less in keeping with the teachings of the Geeta - the holy book of the Hindus.

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weezerific:cutlery
04-12-2002

Rated 0 
i think this song is like a beatles precursor to the songs in john lennon's solo career..like imagine. this song kind of has the same feel as imagine, except it features all the beatles.

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So_Impossible
04-12-2002

Rated 0 
extremely love this song, the fiona apple version is neat-o too.

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sammy4770
04-24-2002

Rated 0 
i think it would be neat if john and fiona could sing this song together. now that would be awesome. but, alas..

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ButtOfMalmsey
05-07-2002

Rated 0 
I only grew to like this song after hearing Rufus Wainwright's cover. Upon reappraisal, it is rapidly becoming a favorite (not quite up there with I'm So Tired, Dear Prudence, or Revolution, but...)

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So_Impossible
05-09-2002

Rated 0 
'jai guru de va om', i read somewhere, is something like 'god is my teacher'.

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XLoveoftheLovedX
05-10-2002

Rated +1 
Ummm..I believe George WROTE the song..but yes JOHN sang it..

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MrRain422
05-12-2002

Rated 0 
Nope, George didn't write it. "Across the Universe" is vintage John.

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glamorous*sunrise
05-17-2002

Rated 0 
most beatles covers (covers OF beatles songs, not the songs they cover) are just horrific. fiona apple's version of "across the universe" was bleh.

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shameless
05-17-2002

Rated -1 
How can you say that, glamorous*sunrise? Fiona Apple sings gorgeousely and the song fits her so well. It fits in among her songs as if it was her own. She adapted a song which held great meaning, and glorified it. The song is so alike her own, I would think she and its author work on parallel lines of thought. She sung it masterfully and, I think, her version is smoother than the origional. She slowed it down, which, I think, is more fitting. She sings it somberly, which fits the lyrics better. The guitar playing is better, too, I think. It's played more... flowy, as if the notes are slurred. In the origional, the notes are sometimes plucked, it seems. I don't feel that effect matches the lyrics. I also like Fiona's ending better. They are both good songs, and I don't see how you could feel Fiona's version was simply bleh.

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glamorous*sunrise
05-17-2002

Rated 0 
i agree, fiona does sing well, and i like her other songs, but i think this one should have been left alone. maybe i shouldn't have said her version was "bleh," but blah. fiona's interpretation is definitely more somber, to the point where it makes her sound as if she's bored with the song. sometimes it sounds like she's singing it all in one breath. john sang it in a way that's equally serious but more full of life, more hopeful. i'm not sure about the guitar-playing, but i don't think it's the technicality of this song that gives it its effect. john is singing his lyrics in the way he intended, and i personally think his style fits the song better than fiona's version.

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goodbyeskyharbor
05-26-2002

Rated -2 
haha i have no fuckin clue what he's talking about, but it's a great song.

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bnorton
06-03-2002

Rated 0 
In an interview John complained that hours would be spent on Paul's songs to get the production just right, while a great song such as "Across the Universe" would take five minutes, "The bloddy guitar wasn't even in tune!" he said.

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wishiwasemo
06-06-2002

Rated 0 
john wrote this song in the middle of the night. he had the melody stuck in his head he tried using his meditation chant to fall asleep but he ended up adding it to the song... amazing song

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SV
06-09-2002

Rated 0 
Perhaphs Lennon's best lyric ever! I love the imagry (spelling?). Esp. "pools of sorrow waves of joy", Beautiful!!

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Bobo192
06-09-2002

Rated 0 
It's agony and ecstasy being created by his will to "meander" like the erratic wind inside him. He tries to comprehend, yet supress his erraticism, but it just... doesn't work for him. "Pools Of Sorrow" are lapped up by his inner soul, yet the "Waves Of Joy", always crashing on the shore, are those that he picks up as that that's treasured

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