Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water Meaning

Song Released: 1970

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Bridge Over Troubled Water Lyrics

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 tough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over...

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   anonymous

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   May 2nd 2006, 01:50 report

   
   

   This song was wriiten by Paul Simon about his wife ... The sail on silver girl bit refers to the time Paul's wife was upset over the fact that white hairs were beginning to appear on her head. Read this in an interview of Paul Simon. This song certainly hasnt got anything to do with drugs ...it's simply the best love song ever!

   
   
   
   

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   ericjfrench

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   May 7th, 07:47 report

   
   

   Just bought the Best Of...album again. I believe the interpretation that refers to the divine. Simon is not a druggie, he is a masterful poet and his lyrics are full of allusions to things divine. Just listen to Sound of Silence and tell me this isn't so. In BOTW, he lures you into the song by making you think it's about a lover or a friend, then the last verse he blasts you with "Sail on Silver Girl..." now he has your attention, you say to yourself, who is this Silver Girl? You are hooked and have no choice but to think and try to interpret the meaning. Genius song-writing.
   
   Anyway, my interpretation is that Silver Girl is FREEDOM symbolized by the Statue of Liberty in NY harbor. Freedom is God given and thus, divine. Lay me down refers to laying down ones life for their country in defense of freedom. Listen again and see if you don't agree.

   
   
   
   

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   anonymous

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   Feb 10th, 22:35 report

   
   

   So...I'm no intellectual or anything but I think that the song should mean what ever you want it to? Personally I always though that it was simple about sacrifice and human decency, but for those that think it has different meaning thing more power to you. I think that as we change as people the meaning of life changes and that goes for songs to. Honestly I think of Jesus Christ's death on the cross as a sort of 'Bridge over Troubled Water' for believers and I think of the 'Sail on' and 'ill be close behind' part as a reminder that He will never me and anyone else who belives. But really its all about perspective. :)

   
   
   
   

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   gazdamike

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   Jan 2nd, 08:48 report

   
   

   James Mill wrote "Panic in Needle Park" in 1966 which used New York as the backdrop for his story detailing life on the streets for the homeless, junkies and the disenfranchised during that period. I believe Paul Simon saw New York for what it was at that same time and concurred with Mills and other social writers of the day and used this visualization as inspiration to sympathize with those on the streets.
   He, after all, lived on an island with these same Heroin addicts and the homeless and wasn't blind to society's problems there or even around the world at the time. His industry (music) was greatly engaged in uncovering and rectifying past social ills so he can't claim ignorance of these related facets.
   I too was agast at the idea that this was a drug reference song (it's so pretty and powerful)and didn't want to believe but the circumstantial evidence is there, (circumstantial is enough to convict in court btw.
   Simon may not have had the courage to risk future royalties either from fans who bought this or many other songs or the many artists who lined up to record "Bridge" afterwards. Nor would he want to venture the minefields awaiting him, i.e. percieved admonishments and repercussions, from the fear-mongering 1960's establishment that overzealously regulated drugs and frequently attempted to censor speech. I know I wouldn't.
   Now read the words to the song and decipher what it's really about, not what you want it to be. I read the part "when friends can't be found" to mean there is nobody who cares for that particular person who is alone in the whole world.
   "Lay me down...like a bridge over troubled water" are the chemicals injected by the street euphenism "sail on silver girl" syringe as the only thing keeping this person going who is either: "down and out [or]...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...I will ease your mind" (pain).
   Their Heroin use is gifting them temporary peace: "All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine" as their only salvation for now by exploiting the release of endorphins and dopamine to experience the world with some relief from the reality of worries and sadness/pain.
   The "I" in the song is now Heroin to me, Christ to others (they still have "Amazing Grace" btw) and yet to another it specifies "friends" that formerly in the song..."just can't be found" who now, somehow strangely, has now found them.
   I have empathy for these tortured souls who quickly spiral down with so much pain and I think so did Simon as a poet who saw the world a lot clearer than I could ever hope too. Americans always want a clean happy ending with no loose ends so I can only guess that we are not going to agree on this but this is my two cents worth.

   
   
   
   

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   anonymous

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   Jul 17th 2012, 01:55 report

   
   

   This song is quite spiritual in its meaning and theme for me. As a young person I always heard this song sang in the context of God being there for you in times of trouble, heartache and grief (i.e. He is the bridge that helps you get over the unfortunate times in life). The first verse infers that truth—especially the reference “when you’re weary,” “tears in your eyes” and “friends can’t be found” and continues this reference in the 2nd verse as it refers to someone who will “comfort you” and give you peace in the time of turbulent situations. Nonetheless, the simile “Like a bridge over troubled water” underscores the notion of a man being there to provide abundant peace and comfort to someone he loves who is in need.

   
   
   
   

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   anonymous

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   Jun 12th 2012, 20:59 report

   
   

   It's about what half of the songs on the album are about -- the eventual breakup of S&G. "I'll take your part" refers to Simon being there for Artie even if his future acting career doesn't take off. All other references are about being there for each other even though they will be going their separate ways.

   
   
   
   

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   anonymous

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   May 4th 2012, 13:36 report

   
   

   this song is about a troubled person that has no one to count on but their is hope somewhere some place, and needs comfort.

   
   
   
   

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   anonymous

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   Apr 22nd 2012, 00:13 report

   
   

   This song is about jesus

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
   
   
   
   

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   anonymous

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   Sep 11th 2011, 10:53 report

   
   

   I was on a religious retreat in eighth grade when one of the nuns played this for us. Therefore, I always assumed 'the bridge' was Jesus and the song was about how He would always be there for us, no matter what. And that He was our best friend who would help us cross over those 'troubled waters' to happier times. The silver girl is our guardian angel. I play this song when faced with challenges and it always inspires me.

   
   
   
   

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    anonymous

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    Aug 20th 2011, 18:52 report

    
    

    The words "sail on silver girl" refers to his wife, she found some grey hairs on her head and had been freaking out about it. He's not far behind means he's getting old himself..... not heroin..

    
    
    
    

11.  

    anonymous

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    Aug 18th 2011, 09:57 report

    
    

    I interpret the song "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" as being about a guy being there for a close friend or family member going through difficult times and who's determined to help see them through it.

    
    
    
    

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    anonymous

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    Jun 14th 2011, 17:37 report

    
    

    During an NPR interview with Terry Gross, Simon (Jewish) said this one song came to him in total at once. He also mentioned "from above." Devine intervention?
    
    The song goes, "I'm on your side
    When times get rough." Who says that in the Bible? Jesus. " I will comfort you.." Jesus again. This from a Jewish song writer is interesting.
    
    Perhaps Silver Girl is the Holy Spirit. "Your time has come. All your dreams are on their way."
    
    Many Gospel singers must believe this because there are plenty of Gospel lyric sights with this song included.
    
    Praise God!!!

    
    
    
    

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    soulcoaxer

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    Jun 9th 2011, 15:24 report

    
    

    This masterful lyric portrays two older friends; one of which is fatally ill and suffering. In and around the heart of the lyric are allusions to the other friend being willing to step up and face the end with the soon to pass friend, while referencing that not many friends would rise to such occasion. "I'm on your side.
    When times get rough. And friends just can't be found." When that sacred time approaches, the friend proclaims: "I'll take your part, when darkness comes, and pain is all around." As she begins her journey toward paradise, as promised, the good friend is by her side, and he joyously helps console her as her spirit begins to flow, "Sail on Silver Girl, Sail on by. Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine."

    
    
    
    

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    anonymous

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    May 26th 2011, 21:39 report

    
    

    I think this song is about being a friend, like a friend is a bridge over troubles that you have in your life. But, that's what I think

    
    
    
    

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    anonymous

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    Mar 9th 2011, 16:49 report

    
    

    this song has to do sothing with the 1960's and 70's and what came to my mind was that the bridge was actually ruby briges. her last name matches with the bridge ruby BRIDGES and that always from one side of a bridge is a new beginning
    so as if she starteed off at one side being hated by all white people and ended up being admired and looked up to.

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
    
    
    
    

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    finner

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    Jan 21st 2011, 07:33 report

    
    

    BOTW is NOT about heroin or drug use. And Paul Simon was never a heroin addict. This popular misinterpretation of BOTW was started by Wilson Bryant Key in 1976. Key wrote "Subliminal Seduction" (1973) and "Media Sexploitation" (1976). Both books were flights of fancy, full of sweeping generalizations about the effects of "subliminal" messages in advertising and other images in newspapers and magazines. One chapter in "Media Sexploitation" was devoted to the thesis that BOTW was about heroin use. Key's original thesis in "Subliminal Seduction" was that advertisers were using sex to sell products, especially booze. For example, he showed pictures of ice cubes in glasses in which he, and his "trained observers," saw the letters S-E-X. In "Media Sexploitation," Key claimed that consumers were so inundated with the "SEX" messages that advertizers were now using images of death to sell (eg., cigarette advertisers were supposedly putting the words "cancer" and "death" in their print magazine ads - subliminally, of course). There is so much wrong with Key's arguments I hardly know where to start. But one thing you can be sure of - he was also wrong about BOTW being about heroin.

    
    
    
    

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    anonymous

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    Jan 18th 2011, 16:09 report

    
    

    I agree that it is a love song, pure and simple and one of the best.

    
    
    
    

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    m320753

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    Jun 21st 2010, 08:56 report

    
    

    this song maybe one of their best until you remember all the other songs paul has written. i believe this song is about friendship that has surpasssed love. in many marriages your spouse becomes your best friend be it male or female. some of my best friends are women i grew up with iy would be as i think plutonic rather than sexual. just normal every day people you know would be there for you and you for them. it probably is about his wife getting gray hair and being best friends he feels for her. but it leans more to artie i believe who seems to show up at more concerts than you think. friends to the end

    
    
    
    

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    jade_years

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    Jun 18th 2010, 03:46 report

    
    

    At the time "silver girl" was a very commonly-used street reference to a heroin syringe. That Paul Simon would choose that exact phrase and have it mean anything other than a heroin syringe is not believable. If you accept this, and read the rest of the lyrics in this context the song makes perfect sense. References to "evening falling hard" and "I'm sailing right behind" make it almost too obvious. Simon refers to heroin as a Best Friend and Savior which comforts him and eases his pain. Anyone who has suffered from depression/addiction will relate to this only too well. The story about his future wife's grey hair just does not ring true, and is out of context with the rest of the song. As police were beginning to crack down on drug use and advocacy by rock musicians during this period, you can understand why Simon would be less than forthcoming about the song's true meaning

    
    
    
    

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    anonymous

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    May 21st 2009, 22:45 report

    
    

    The song is definently a sad and yet a beautiful song. When I hear the song and pay attention to the lyrics it seems he's talking about homeless people and I almost think that in the lyric sail on silver girl sail on by etc etc. is about a homeless girl who passed away on the street and is no longer in any kind of pain living in paradise and feeling like a princess. It seems though that in paul simons heart he's reaching out like a rescuer and I'm sure he must of seen some homeless people in new york.

    
    
    
    

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    anonymous

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    Feb 15th 2009, 01:06 report

    
    

    I think the 'bridge' over troubled water is representative of him and laying himself down over the troubled waters to help the weary through hard times. I do not think it has anything to do with shooting up. I love this song and I think it has to do with comforting and supporting someone in pain and feeling alone, that they can count on you even when other 'friends just can't be found.' He says 'I'll take your part' not 'i'll tie you off'. The reference of 'sail on silver girl' is very briefly mentioned and nothing else in the song really indicates its about drugs. that seem to be quite a narrow interpretation. Maybe some songs of theirs are about pot, but not shooting up. It is beautifully sung and the piano is heart wrenching undoubtedly. well done simon & garfunkel. I've heard this song over 10,000 times and it will never get old.