Real real gone
I got hit by a bow and arrow
Got me down to the very marrow
And I'm real, real gone

Real real gone
I can't stand up by myself
Don't you know I need your help
And I'm real, real gone

Some people say
You can make it on your own
Oh you can make it if you try
I know better now
You can't stand up alone
Oh baby that is why

I'm real, real gone
I can't stand up by myself
Don't you know I need your help
You're a friend of mine
And I'm real, real gone

And Sam Cooke is on the radio
And the night is filled with space
And your fingertips touch my face
You're a friend of mine
And I'm real, real gone

I'm real gone
Oh Lord I got hit by a bow and arrow
Got me down to the very marrow
You're a friend of mine
And I'm real, real gone
And I'm real, real gone
I'm real gone

Wilson Pickett said:
"In the midnight hour,
That's when my love comes tumbling down"
Solomon Burke said:
"If you need me, why don't you call me"
James Brown said:
"When you're tired of what you got, try me"
Gene Chandler said:
"There's a rainbow in my soul"


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira

Real Real Gone Lyrics as written by Van Morrison

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Real Real Gone song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +3
    Song Meaning

    I believe this song is about Van Morrison's faith. Possibly a relatively new-found faith. He speaks about being "hit by a bow and arrow" which is either Cupid (possible), or what I believe, some kind of affliction or addiction, which leads to him saying "got me down to the very marrow" which to me, is a clear reference to being near-death.

    "I can't stand up by myself, don't you know I need your help" is another symbolic reference to me. As is "and your fingertips touch my face, don't you know you're a friend of mine." It sounds like he was struggling with some kind of afflication, addiction, sadness and/or loneliness, and maybe he didn't always have faith, but his life's circumstances changed that. It sounds to me like he's singing to God, "oh lord I got hit with a bow and arrow" (last verse), assuring God that he hasn't forgotten, and that he believes, and that he appreciates his saved life.

    Probably a very emotional song for Van Morrison, if my theory is accurate. I'm not even religious, but it seems clear to me. Van Morrison is simply amazing, and his music and poetry is unlike anything I've heard/read. Thanks for reading my long-winded response!

    ThomasNYon January 22, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about just that, Cupid. smiting someone with love. But I have lived in this song for a long time and never new why until I found out I had CTE.

    pirate87on February 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is probably my favourite Van Morrison song. I'm not really sure what Van's talking about, and I'm horrible at analyzing anything poetic, but I know it's about love, of some sort at least. I just love the music in this song and Van Morrison's unique voice just adds to it. Brings back a lot of good memories, too.

    dylmeisteron September 16, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think its about finally getting the courage and fortitude to finnaly say its over, This song is almost the complete oppisite of "Wonderful Remark" to me, in that the speaker seems to be a person subdued with the courage to break up with the girl when shes not around, but he melts whenever he see's her, in my head thats whts going on anyway.

    lunchbox90857on January 25, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song seriously rocks - take your favorite relaxant, crank up the volume and take the floor - good thngs will happen if you don't dislocate your hips.

    vasnmoGoon March 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The last verse is amazing. Van Morrison's musical background is clearly stated here, and he gives us 4 arguments based on authority. Wanna know what the song is about? Listen to these 4 songs..

    Nikki Blancoon April 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The quintessential falling-in-love song if I ever heard it. quoting other like minded souls and songs. I love the lines

    And Sam Cooke is on the radio And the night is full of space And your fingertips touch my face You're a friend of mine And I'm real real gone.

    The beauty of evening is part of the attraction...

    kindofblueon October 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    This song is definitely a love song to God. For me it speaks of directly experiencing the love and presence of God and being "real real gone" (becoming undone)by this experience. The bow and arrow reference is quite possibly Van's understanding that God does indeed pursue us and seeks relationship with us...

    I'm real gone Oh lord I got hit by a bow and arrow Got me down to the very marrow You're a friend of mine And I'm real real gone

    I love this part too... Wilson Pickett said:

    • "In the midnight hour, that's When my love comes tumbling down" To me this reflects those dark time of the soul when God does draw near to us and comforts us.

    He also clearly states his dependence on God (I can't stand up by myself) Some people say You can make it on your own Oh you can make it if you try I know better now You can't stand up alone

    Wildheart2on April 22, 2011   Link

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