Acts of kindness, like breadcrumbs in a fairytale forest
Lead us past dangers as light melts the darkness
But I don't believe, and I'm not consoled
I lean closer to the fire, but I'm cold

The earth was born in a storm
The waters receded, the mountains were formed
"The universe loves a drama," you know
And ladies and gentlemen this is the show

I got a call from my broker
The broker informed me I'm broke
I was dealing my last hand of poker
My cards were useless as smoke

Oh, guardian angel
Don't taunt me like this, on a clear summer evening as soft as a kiss
My children are laughing, not a whisper of care
My love is brushing her long chestnut hair
I don't believe a heart can be filled to the brim
Then vanish like mist as though life were a whim

Maybe the heart is part of the mist
And that's all that there is or could ever exist
Maybe and maybe and maybe some more
Maybe's the exit that I'm looking for

I got a call from my broker
The broker said he was mistaken
Maybe some virus or brokerage joke
And he hopes that my faith isn't shaken

Acts of kindness
Like rain in a draught
Release the spirit with a whoop and a shout
I don't believe we were born to be sheep in a flock
To pantomime prayers with the hands of a clock


Lyrics submitted by cp8climb

I Don't Believe Lyrics as written by Paul Simon

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

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I Don't Believe song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    this songs (as it title suggests) is about belief, paul says that he does not believe that we all live and die in vain, and that our life does have meaning( don't believe a heart can be filled to the brim Then vanish like mist as though life were a whim). but then he criticizes the major religions, i think he means to say that belief should be a personal thing("I don't believe we were born to be sheep in a flock").

    p.s - the advertisment on this page is quite amusing(considering the meaning of the lyrics)

    liorsekeron December 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "The universe loves a drama" was a comment made by Edie Brickell, Simon's wife, referring to the 2004 presidential election.

    Trendallon June 16, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    To pantomime prayers with the hands of a clock.

    Is it too much to ask for people to read the insert in the CD case before they post lyrics? The last line of the song is not up there! Not to mention that other parts are wrong... and if anyone is going to try to argue, PLEASE go read the lyrics that COME WITH THE ALBUM. If any lyrics are right, it'll be them.

    That said, I absolutely LOVE this song. He has so many brilliant quotes-to-be just waiting to be picked out, particularly the last two lines of the fourth and seventh stanzas.

    thelesserthreaton July 10, 2006   Link

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