Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools" said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming

And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds of silence"


Lyrics submitted by kevin, edited by annacronism, Mahasquid, ashakitten4, DAIRYDAWG, sjaydeb, NonDiluted

The Sound Of Silence Lyrics as written by Paul Simon

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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The Sound of Silence song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    @MrMojoRisin5552 I think that a majority of the the responses to your interpretation of this are basically repeating your theory, in different words. yet they are clearly stating that they interpret the lyrics differently. with that being said, MY interpretation of those oppositionals ... that this is part of the problems this song speaks of .. the not listening ... just holding back until you finish the thought .. but actually hearing what was spoken. as for my point of view on the song.. the first of the ten commandments (shalt not worship false Gods/other Gods) is clear through out the song. and the end result leading to God's wrath which is really a destruction they created themselves by not paying attention to the signs written out clearly for them... obviously I agree with your analysis ... however .. to me it could be either faith related or a warning of a future here on earth if we continue down this selfish, close minded and outspoken path ... it's only leading to destruction and chaos and that only leads to more hate and anger. with or without God and religion the song holds true ... false praise or attention to neon Gods could be media feeding us only what they want us to know with subliminal ads and news reports ... leading to apathy, paranoia, and mistrust of our own. and to our own destruction

    KiKSumMFHedson January 30, 2016   Link

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