Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high
Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say
Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more, no
Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry, don't you cry no more
No more
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high
Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say
Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more, no
Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry, don't you cry no more
No more
Lyrics submitted by amblin2u, edited by Tasaar, Octavarium64, Teampeeta254, Rossthemis
Carry On Wayward Son Lyrics as written by Kerry Livgren
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
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Although most interested in Alfred E's meaning...i believe it's more of a swing, a man lost within himself, sort of in the classic situation of an angel and devil on his shoulder. The devil telling him to committ sucicide, and the angel telling him to carry on and keep on following your so far unsuccessful life.
"Carry on my wayward son, They'll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest, Don't you cry no more."
This is the devil talking about dying and ending all the pain and confusion he has.
"Once I rose above the noise and confusion, Just to get a glimpse beyond this illussion. I was soring ever higher, But I flew too high."
He finds himself looking at his life from the outside, and meets the angel and devil, and cannot decide who to listen to.
"Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man. Though my mind could think I still was a mad man. I hear the voices when I'm dreaming, I can hear them say..."
He sees the images of the angel and devil in his sleep, he's trapped in his mind, and is unable to choose who to listen to...
"Carry on my wayward son, They'll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest, Don't you cry no more."
This is the devil telling him, if he dies, it will all be over, just like that, he can be at peace with himself, and not worry about anything anymore.
"Masquerading as a man with a reason, My charade is the event of the season And if I claim to be a wise man, well It surely means that I don't know"
referring to the devil with his motive to get the man to committ sucicide. When he talks about being a wise man, he explains he doesn't know the devil's intentions...
"On a stormy sea of moving emotion Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean I set a course for winds of fortune But I hear the voices say..."
he's once again trapped in his mind and emotions, swaying back and forth between good and evil. he sets out go on, but keeps hearing the devil say...
"Carry on my wayward son, They'll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest, Don't you cry no more. No!"
once again telling him dying will end everything, the angel disagreeing with a no!
"Carry on, you will always remember Carry on, nothing equals the splendor Now your life's no longer empty Surely heaven waits for you."
the devil giving the empty promise that all will be good and he will go to heaven.
"Carry on my wayward son, They'll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest, Don't you cry, Don't you cry no more."
Ends up with the devil reminding once more how to end all the pain and suffering