In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Fog's rollin' in off the East River bank
Like a shroud it covers Bleecker Street
Fills the alleys where men sleep
Hides the shepherd from the sheep
Voices leaking from a sad cafe
Smiling faces try to understand
I saw a shadow touch a shadow's hand
On Bleecker Street
The poet reads his crooked rhyme
Holy, holy is his sacrament
Thirty dollars pays your rent
On Bleecker Street
I head a church bell softly chime
In a melody sustainin'
It's a long road to Canaan
On Bleecker Street
Bleecker Street
Like a shroud it covers Bleecker Street
Fills the alleys where men sleep
Hides the shepherd from the sheep
Voices leaking from a sad cafe
Smiling faces try to understand
I saw a shadow touch a shadow's hand
On Bleecker Street
The poet reads his crooked rhyme
Holy, holy is his sacrament
Thirty dollars pays your rent
On Bleecker Street
I head a church bell softly chime
In a melody sustainin'
It's a long road to Canaan
On Bleecker Street
Bleecker Street
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Bleecker Street runs through the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. It is sort of the east coast equivalent of Haight Street in San Francisco, a place where countercultural (hippy, beatnik, etc.)stuff tends to happen.
The poet reading his crooked rhyme seems to be based on Allen Ginsberg, since his "Footnote to Howl" repeats the word "holy" quite a few times.
The thirty dollar rent is a definite clue that this is not a new song! Thirty dollars won't even get you a day's rent in New York City these days!
Es fantàstic. M'agrada la sorna del Holly Holly de la gent de Bleeker Street, el núvol, els versos torts, el tractar-los de Judes i el comentari de que son molt lluny del tipus de festa de Canaa. Fantàstics Simon and Garfunkel
Yeah, great song, harmonising at its best but has anyone noticed that the idiot who posted these lyrics spelt Bleecker Street wrong? Its on the CD case for poo's sake.
@Ed Clarke with all respect, the word spelt is not used like this. I think you meant spelled. Also, your 4th word is spelled harmonizing. :)
NO comments?! Not ONE? Goodbye cruel world, it's over.
Lots of obscuring going on here…"voices leaking," shadows touching shadows, the shepherd losing his flock…and lots of religious imagery…Canaan takes on meaning as "the land which is God's gift" and "the place of abundance"…I guess S&G don't see humanity reaching enlightenment any time soon.
Obviously a nostalgic ode to New York's Greenwhich Village, which is home to Bleeker Street. This was the artsiest ("a poet reads crooked rhymes") and grimiest neighborhood of the City in their time, probably related to its being the most affordable. "$30 pays your rent."
i've read an art garfunkel quote saying that the "thirty dollars pays your rent" is actually a reference to the bible- though i don't recall exactly how. i think there are several throughout the song- road to caanan, the shepards from the sheep. i'd give the link, but i don't remember what the website was...
beautiful song, though.
@howtobegood <br /> Seriously!? Thirty pieces of silver!!! <br />
@howtobegood 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas for his betrayal of Christ is my guess.
nice song, bleecker Street is now a street that is what the whole city is about.
Thirty dollars pays your rent is a reference to Jesus being sold for pieces of silver. At least that's what Artie says! I obviously read the same quote as you, howtobegood! I shiver every time I hear "shadows touch a shadows hand" bit. Beautifully sung, beautifully written, and a gorgeous underrated song.
Note: In the gospels it mentions for 30 peices of silver Judas turned Jesus over to the athorities. Shadow or shade was used in medieval times for a soul or spirit. Canaan is an ancient country in what is now Israel/Palestine including the West Bank, western Jordan, southern and coastal Syria and Lebanon continuing up until the border of modern Turkey; and has several biblical meanings. From the back of the original 33 liner notes by Art Garfunkel:
quote "I confess that Bleecker Street (finished in October 1963), was too much for me at first. The song is highly intellectual, the symbolism extremely challenging. The opening line in which the fog comes like a "shroud" over the city introduces the theme of "creative sterility." But it is the second verse which I find particularly significant: Voices leaking from a sad cafe, Smiling faces try to undersand; I saw a shadow touch a shadow's hand On Bleecker street.
The first line is a purely poetic image. The second line touches poignantly on the human conditions of our time. To me, it shows the same perceptive psychological characterization as Sparrow - the "golden wheat" ("I would if I could but I cannot, I know"). The third line marks the first appearance of a theme that is to occupy great attention in later work- "lack of communication." The author says that the poets have "sold out" ("the poet writes his crooked rhyme"). The line "Thirt dollars pays your rent" reminds one of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Christ for thirty pieces of silver. Admittedly, the song is difficult to understand, but worth the effort." end quote
wish I could get a room on Bleeker Street for thirty dollars!
beautiful song, clearly some biblical references and symbolism. it seems to me that the shroud covering the streets is something unpure or unholy. as it hides the sheperd from his sheep. maybe it's hiding god(the sheperd) from his people(the sheep)?