The Beatles – Julia

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Half of what I say is meaningless
But I say it just to reach you, Julia.

Julia, Julia, oceanchild, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia
Julia, seashell eyes, windy smile, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia.

Her hair of floating sky is shimmering, glimmering
In the sun

Julia, Julia, morning moon, touch me
So I sing a song of love, Julia.

When I cannot sing my heart
I can only speak my mind, Julia.

Julia, sleeping sand, silent cloud, touch me
So I sing a song of love, Julia.

Hum hum hum hum, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia, Julia, Julia.

Send "Julia" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Track duration: 04:35

"Julia" as written by John Winston Lennon, Paul James Mccartney

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

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Julia song meanings
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57 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Possibly my favourite Beatles song, it's so raw and emotional
    Flag grownoceanon September 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I cried when I first heard this song when I was 12...it's one of the most beautiful Beatles songs, I think.
    Flag MyNameIsJelly9on June 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The Beatles is truly the best rock band. Period. Forget you, Stones! Beatles forever!
    Flag NeverXMindon October 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Actually there are 2 parts in the song where John references Khalil Gibran's Sand and Foam.

    There's the part that goes "Half of what I say is meaningless; but I say it so that the other half may reach you." as others have stated before.

    Then in Gibran's poem:
    "When Life does not find a singer to sing her heart she produces a philosopher to speak her mind."
    becomes "When I cannot sing my heart, I can only speak my mind" in Julia.

    Sand and Foam is an incredible piece of literature. I think John must have been fond of it, because as I was reading it, I really felt the influence it had on John. I somehow felt John's presence through the words of the poem.
    Flag nachozon September 01, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:this is a truely great song; I can only think of two things to say about this song. John Lennon sees his mother in everything because she is always at the forefront of his mind and or he believes that when she died she became part of everything, one with God.
    Flag stpittsson October 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is a letter to Julia, John's mother. It's about letting her go. "Oceanchild calls me, so I sing a song of love, Julia". He's found the new love of his life, and he wants to dedicate himself to her, and he can't do that while he's holding on to Julia.

    He's telling his mother goodbye, imho.
    Flag LightGrenadeon December 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It always makes me sad when I hear songs he's written about his mother, I can't imagine the feeling of being rejected by both of your parents. But he got past it and made the effort form a relationship with her, only for her to be taken away..again. So tragic.

    I think the first two lines are my favourite, they can be said about so many situations. Reminds me of the feeling when you're so glad to just be talking to a person, however mundane or pointless the subject. Just having that connection comforts you, and you're at peace.
    Flag emma_366on October 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i really didn't like my name until i heard this song.
    Flag juliaaon September 29, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's interesting that one of the comments is that "the first line always bothered me". They came the closest to understanding the purpose of this song. The first two lines are what the song is about and it's not anyone but you and me. He's telling you that much of the lyrics in their songs are meaningless, "but I say it just to reach you" with the true meaning which was very risky for such an influential group. The beatles wanted to tranform the world and they were in a position to actually do it. The lyrics that carry the true message are the ones that are plain and simple. "come together", "all you need is love", we can change the world", see beyond yourself and you will find peace of mind is waiting there". All the rest about Paul is dead and who is the walrus or John's mother is nothing but giberish.
    Flag BeatleInsighton July 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i agree that he was talking about his mom
    but the first line is saying that it is to his mom AND yoko
    as in half of it is going to his mom
    and since (sorry if its a little blunt) she is dead
    it may seem somewhat meaningless
    but the other half is very meaningful because it is going to yoko

    and he did not mean the first line about himself
    it was meant to go to the listeners who may have thought that
    Flag scottrbroganon April 27, 2008   Link

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