When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, all
I'm on your side, oh, 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, oh, 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
Oh, if you 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 submitted by kevin

Bridge Over Troubled Water Lyrics as written by Paul Simon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Bridge Over Troubled Water song meanings
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88 Comments

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  • +14
    My Interpretation

    When you're going through a very dark time and you're emotionally exhausted and alone, a place where no friends or real support can be found.

    'In between' living your old life with unhealthy, uncaring people, and wanting to move into a happier, healthier existence and away from those people you love but are sadly incapable of making that change ( sometimes everyone we know)... that's where you find the love, strength, belief and faith in yourself that you can make it.

    Trusting that there is a force that loves you, hears you and can help you find the courage and faith in yourself carries you from the darkness and into the light ~ your light and your dreams. That force is the bridge - call it what you will...It could be God, or love or energy or 'the force!' but it is something real.

    You are loved and supported even when you are alone and in the dark. For the brave, miracles happen there.

    Beautiful, inspired lyrics.

    archetypeson February 24, 2013   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Well, First of all. NO DRUGS! I am not an orgirnall fan, as in i wasnt born when they wrote this song. but i did have a tape of there greatest hits and i wore it out let me tell ya. but this song i have always loved. just hearing it a few minutes ago and really paying attention to the words made me think. ( i am not trying to preach or anything but) like shunammite kind a touched on. i really think this song is about one man who did lay his life down for us. Jesus.. listen to the words. It could be about a friend but with the line "When friends just can't be found" i really think it is mentioning somone else. jesus died for our sins, he laid down his life for us. he is there always for us, when we are moving right on by. Also in the 2nd "I will comfort you. I'll take your part." jesus took away our sins when he died for us. he took are place up there. But untill right before i posted this. i also thought it was a song about a dear friend (which i have used many times to help ppl) it sounds a little depressing, but it is a really nice and pleasent song.

    DARSFoGon January 18, 2005   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    The singer is telling us (the listener) he will get us thru the hard times we all have. Its about hope and transformation.

    giuliamon March 27, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I agree...this song has been viewed so many times, but not a single comment has been made. This week, our high school choir did a version of this song arranged by Kirby Shaw. It was amazing. 2 of my good friends had solos for the second and third verses. It was absolutely beautiful, and they recieved a standing ovation. This song is so powerful and beautiful. This is how I feel about my best friend - I would do anything for her...no matter what she needs and I know she would do the same for me. I guess that's what having a best friend is all about.

    Tuesdayz_goneon February 21, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I love this song. I don't know if anyone's said it or if it's completely obvious but I like to think the "I will lay me down" means that he would physically lay himself down as a bridge to you to help you get over this rough patch of your life. Like, he would sacrifice himself. I like what one of the earlier comments said about how it's like we're Christ for each other--we would sacrifice ourselves for a friend.

    bridgesandballoonson March 26, 2010   Link
  • +3
    My Opinion

    Those who say that because Simon and Garfunkel are both Jewish, and therefore this song can't possibly be about Jesus, don't know, obviously, that on their first album, "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.", they sang a very stirring rendition of "Go, Tell it on the Mountain"...a Christmas song! They also did "Silent Night/7 O'clock News" and a real gospel song called "You Can Tell the World" very convincingly, on other albums. God uses whoever He will for His purposes. It is entirely possible, and my absolute total belief and opinion that this song is Divinely inspired. I believe that God gave this song to Paul Simon, and that the song in its entirety is a message from God, through Simon and Garfunkel, to us. I believe they are the channel He used to speak to us. My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter!

    WayneKon March 11, 2011   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This must be considered for top 5 songs of all time. Beautiful meaning and sound. I love to give this song a listen when I'm in a sad mood.

    endoflaughteron December 19, 2014   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    when i first heard this song i didnt listen to the words, and based on the melody i fealt it as kind of a depressing song, and when it said "i will lay me down" i thought of kind of giving up. then i listened to the words and found the lyrics and it was not that at all...one of the best songs ever written, simple, but amazing. so moving. it can relate to everyone.

    blueblackeyes101on May 02, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Passionate and powerful song!

    dtruinion April 23, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I can't believe that in almost a YEAR, no one has written a comment on this amazing song about friendship and togetherness. This song epitomizes why we have friends... Because the real friends stick around when times are dark while the others scatter for a better view.

    maxpower114on February 08, 2002   Link

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