In the year of '39, assembled here the volunteers
In the days when lands were few
Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn
The sweetest sight ever seen

And the night followed day
And the story tellers say
That the score brave souls inside
For many a lonely day sailed across the milky seas
Ne'er looked back, never feared, never cried

Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew

In the year of '39 came a ship in from the blue
The volunteers came home that day
And they bring good news of a world so newly born
Though their hearts so heavily weigh
For the earth is old and grey, little darling, we'll away
But my love, this cannot be
Oh, so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me

Don't you hear my call though you're many years away?
Don't you hear me calling you?
Write your letters in the sand for the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew

Don't you hear my call though you're many years away?
Don't you hear me calling you?
All your letters in the sand cannot heal me like your hand
For my life
Still ahead
Pity me


Lyrics submitted by f_mercury, edited by JoeDawson, jealy

'39 Lyrics as written by Brian May

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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'39 song meanings
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    General Comment

    Yes Brian has stated that it was written about space travel and in turn time travel related to the trip. Why the year 39'? If you count the songs from Queens first album on, it falls as the 39th song. Very cleaver! that Brian May...

    lyriaciston December 09, 2012   Link

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