Album: Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

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• When you're weary, feeling small
  When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, all
  I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
  And friends just can't be found
  Like a bridge over troubled water
  I will lay me down
  Like a bridge over troubled water
  I will lay me down
  
  When you're down and out
  When you're on the street
  When evening falls so hard
  I will comfort you
  I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
  And pain is all around
  Like a bridge over troubled water
  I will lay me down
  Like a bridge over troubled water
  I will lay me down
  
  Sail on silver girl
  Sail on by
  Your time has come to shine
  All your dreams are on their way
  See how they shine
  Oh, if you need a friend
  I'm sailing right behind
  Like a bridge over troubled water
  I will ease your mind
  Like a bridge over troubled water
  I will ease your mind Writer/s: Paul Simon
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 77

• Glenn2145 from Sydney AustraliaRecording of the song Let It Be commenced in January 1969, a full year before Bridge Over Troubled Water was released. Sorry, but no, McCartney wasn't influenced by Bridge.
• Sermonator from Seattle, WaHad Simon sung this instead of Garfunkel, it would not have had even half the impact it had with Art's powerful voice. Simon never had that much vocal range anyway and the "cover" of it that he did when he returned to Central Park was barely a pale echo of what his former partner gave us. I'm very thankful it was created the way it was.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyFifty years ago today on February 22nd, 1970 Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" peaked at #1 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, it remained in the top spot for six weeks...
  The rest of the Top 10 on February 22nd, 1970:
  At #2. "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"/"Everybody Is A Star" by Sly and the Family Stone {The previous week's #1 record}
  #3. "Travelin' Band"/"Who'll Stop The Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
  #4. "Hey There Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman
  #5. "No Time" by The Guess Who
  #6. "Ma Belle Amie" by The Tee Set
  #7. "Psychedelic Shack" by The Temptations
  #8. "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" by B.J. Thomas
  #9. "Rainy Night In Georgia" by Brook Benton
  #10. "Venus" by The Shocking Blue
• Brian B from Southern La.Songwriter Dan Wilson is correct about Garfunkels voice; however, I hear it being sung stoically and with strength, not breaking in to emotion in order to bring comfort to another that is down. And that adds, ironically, to the emotion of the entirety of the song.
• Seventhmist from 7th HeavenOne of the best song arrangements ever and incredibly powerful, yet subtle. The way the drum starts from a whisper during the bridge and builds to a crescendo at the end is absolutely ingenious (It's subtle, then powerful.).
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 29, 1970, Buck Owens and the Buckaroos performed "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on the CBS-TV musical variety program, 'The Ed Sullivan Show'...
  Four months later on March 28th, 1971 the group's covered version would peak at #9 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart...
  Between 1959 and 1989 Buck and the boys had sixty-eight records on the Hot Country Singles chart, forty-one made the Top 10 with nineteen reaching #1*, plus they had seven records that peaked at #2...
  Alvis Edgar 'Buck' Owens Jr. passed away at the age of 76 on March 25th, 2006...
  May he R.I.P.
  * During a four year period, 1963 to 1967, the group had fourteen consecutive #1 records on the Hot Country Singles chart.
• Cat Rock from GrazFantastic tune and arrangement, also with great lyrics. Definitely Paul Simon's best song. Still gives me shivers to hear this. What an emotional and powerful piece of music.
• Paul from Eindhoven, NetherlandsThis awesome song has always been in my top 5 of all time favorites. And the same titled album was in 1970 my very first ever, so I have special memories to this song.
• Jack from NycBridge is an absolutely fantastic song from start to finish and is probably Paul's best song ever. Won a Grammy in 1970 as Best Song of the Year, and it wasn't the best song of 1970. Let it Be deserved to win but the Grammy judges were prejudiced against The Beatles.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 7th 1979, Linda Clifford performed her covered version of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
  At the time the song was at #48 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eight days later on April 15th it would peak at #41, the following week it fell to #100 and that was also its last week on the Top 100...
  It reached #49 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
  She had three other records make the Top 100 chart; "Runaway Love" {#76 in 1978}, "If My Friends Could See Me Now" {#54 in 1978}, and "Red Light (from the film 'Fame')" {#41 in 1980}.
• Amand from Delft, NetherlandsIn my younger years before song-texts became readily available over the internet, I thought this passage was about a bird, a silver-gull:
  the herring-gull is quite commonly called silver-gull in Netherlandish and German; its Latin name larus argentatus has this meaning.
  There is also a blues song by Leadbelly titled Sail On Little Girl.
• Kylie from Mankato, MnThe best cover version I've heard for Bridge Over Troubled Water is by Alfie Boe. If you've never heard of Alfie, check out this concert performance from April 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqIKWfKbQ6g As for the comment about the lyrics being meaningless nonsense--if you try to interpret them strictly literally, MOST song lyrics are meaningless nonsense. Haven't you ever heard of a metaphor? Song lyrics are poetry, not nonfiction prose!
• Stu from El Paso, TxAwesome song. The original S&G is the best, but a close second in my opinion is the Johnny Cash/Fiona Apple version. Johnny's deep vocals with Fiona's sultry voice is an amazing combination. Even late in his life you can still hear the power in his vocals.
• Mike from Levittown, NyDoubtful BOTW inspired McCartney to write 'Let It Be' since the Let It Be sessions began shortly after The White Album was released in late '68.
  BOTW wasn't released for more than a year later.
• Kimberly from Landing, NjFeeling strong ... we all feel this at times. streets can be very cold if only noted. Cont.and realiz. the brightness moment to shine. and they will shine cont....... to belive the best in us of US. to understand. and believe value within then lyrics... ty ... Kimberly Glass.... Thank You!
• Camille from Toronto, OhWell stated, Tess. The lyrics have the ability to be strong and complex, yet with a simple, universal theme. Everyone at one time or another seems to need that person who is their 'bridge over troubled waters'. Would the song have become as iconic as it has if Paul Simon had sung it? We'll never know. Imo, I think he knew what he was doing in letting Art Garfunkel sing it. And the words in the last verse...they lift the song up, giving the listener hope that you can ride out the storms causing all those troubles, with a good friend right behind you.
• Tess from Prince George, BcI think regardless of what an artist thinks a song is about, once it enters the realms of the listeners it can take on meanings that the artist/s may never have thought of - and that (to me) is true artistry. It shows that the piece is so strong that it has complexity that can fit seamlessly into mulitple worlds. So for the Christians it is about Jesus, for those living with a dying friend, it is about standing strong in the face of grief and loss; for radical activists it is about standing with allies in unpopular causes like ending the Vietnam war was for many Americans; for those knowledgeable about and insightful about the lifes of the authors it reflects and is drawn from the artists' personal experinces; sail on silver girl is at the very same moment about an aging lover and a heroin needle; it is about them all and more.... I think of Sarah MacLachan's "in the arms of angel" which for her was about the death of a close friend from his addiction but which she has sung for our provincial SPCA to promote the adoption of animals who would otherwise be euthanized and many people who don't know her interpretation absolutely believe it was inspired by and done from her love of animals. I can't see that TV ad with her pure clear her voice without weeping.
• John from Oklahoma City, OkAll of the questions that have been asked on here about Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Boxer have been answered on the 40th Anniversary DVD of Bridge Over Troubled Water. I saw this documentary on MTV just about 2 months ago and it is terrific. The big drum crash echo sound on The Boxer came from the drums being setup in front of an elevator shaft in the CBS building in NYC. I could tell you more but there is too much to cover and the DVD covers it all. Watch for a replay on MTV for those of you who do not want to buy the DVD.
• Oldpink from Farmland, InOne of those songs that blend the power of magnificent lyrics with towering vocals and instrumentation into a crescendo that, even all these years after I first heard it back in about 1974, makes the hairs stand up on my neck and arms.
  Simply magic.
• Sean from Syracuse, NyRead above for Paul's thoughts on Elvis' version. I think Paul was more blown away by Aretha's version, which basically just brought the entire song right to church. Out of any and all versions I have heard of this song, the original recorded version is the strongest and has the most effect by far. Also, I agree that Paul was being quite egotistical when "jokingly" saying how he wished he recorded the vocals instead of the (much superior) Garfunkel. You'd think making millions upon millions of dollars off the song would have been good enough!
• Robert from Brea, CaThis masterful lyric portrays two older friends; one of which is fatally ill and suffering. In and around the heart of the lyric are allusions to the other friend being willing to step up and face the end with the soon to pass friend, while referencing that not many friends would rise to such occasion. "I'm on your side.
  When times get rough. And friends just can't be found." When that sacred time approaches, the friend proclaims: "I'll take your part, when darkness comes, and pain is all around." As she begins her journey toward paradise, as promised, the good friend is by her side, and he joyously helps console her as her spirit begins to flow, "Sail on Silver Girl, Sail on by. Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine."
• Rick from Brick, NjAccording to John Lennon in All We Are Saying(David Sheff),he believed that Paul's "Let It Be" inspiration was derived from this song. He said "I know he really wanted to write a BOTW"
• Mark from Hilo, HiWas this song, this Masterpiece I must add, recorded in a studio? Because the applause makes me think it was live......
  Can anyone please explain.
• Alberto from Roma, ItalyIt doesn't matter WHY the writer wrote a certain line in the lyrics, or WHAT he was thinking of when he did it. A good song stands for itself and doesn't need external knowledge and personal infos to be appreciated. The "silver hair" thing is utterly irrelevant, since no songwriter has the right to expect audience to know about his personal life. He doesn't write for his friends and family, he writes for millions of people. If the line "Sail on silver girl" is good and tells something, then good, if not, then it doesn't matter why the hair was silver and not blonde and who Paul Simon was thinking of - this is irrelevant. By the way - BEAUTIFUL SONG.
• Larry from Coral Springs, FlWonderful song and great music arrangement. They were sensational
• Ken from San Mateo, Caabsolutely wonderful song but quite sad...Art's voice is amazing!!! give credit to Simon for the wonderful lyrics..
• Mark from Lunenburg, MaSome people can see drug references in anything. They'll tell you 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' is about heroin. I guess if you think about drugs all the time, than that's all your gonna see.
• Brenda from Danville Pa, Pathis song has some meaning to me, the verse your dreams become memories very awesome song.
• Rick from Belfast, MeThis album was the epitomy of how great rock musicians were in the 60's and 70's.....the title song, or songs released on 45 were always great, but the other songs on the album were just as great, if not greater than the others. This is, of course, a sign of greatness....which, most bands just dont have today. They go all out for the title song and just put filler of "fluff" on the rest of the album....
• Mimi from Silver Spring, MdSupposedly this song inspired Paul McCartney to write 'Let it Be'
• Lem from Denver, CoThe song is a nice song but the lyrics, if you actually think about them, are meaningless nonsense. How would one physically go about attempting to lay down like a bridge over anything? Bridges don't lay down - they pretty much get built and stay put. And how can water be troubled, when water doesn't think? And how, in particular, if a bridge does lay down, does it do so differently when laying down over troubled water? What steps would one follow to perform this task?
• Michael from Richmond, VaThis song is not about Jesus. Both Simon and garfunkel are Jewish. /debate over
• Rick from Philadelphia, NjWhen Paul Simon first heard the elvis presley arrangement of "bridge over troubled water" he stated that it blew him away. He often comments that then Presley version opened his eyes on how the original arrangements and recording should have been laid out.
• Heath from Vancouver, Wa, Wa Hi, big fan here. Been a fan for years and recently become Christian. Now i honor their songs with an enlightened point of view. Check this out, You can tell the would obvious chrisian son about rejoice. Bleeker street, song about the street where people have no faith therefore have no hope, look up bleek in your dictionary. He was my brother, this song is about Jesus and how they killed and he died for our sins, he was a freedom writer, he was singing on his knees the day he died (he was 33 not 23.) Kathy's song is the most beutiful love song to God. He lost all his beliefs and no only knows one truth. Like the rain falling on the window there by your grace go I. The sun is burning, is without a shadow of a doubt about the second coming of Christ. Patterns, is about our pre-destined lives and how we have the free will to change the patterns of our lives. The 7 O Clock news/Silent night is about a world of confusion and violence outside but a louder peace that is inside. And yes if you said that Bridge over troubled waters was about religion you are 100% correct. And no if you haven't accepted Jesus you won't and may never understand.
• Annabelle from Eugene, OrWhere is the explosion sound in this song, the slam of the grand piano? I've never heard that part before. Is it in the middle?
• Patrice from Beverly Hills, Cahal blaine created the drum sound by using the chains from his snow tires to hit the snare.
• Jill from Los Angeles, CaFor all of your anti-Christian folk - yes this song is about God. If any of you know anything about Paul Simon this was a gospel/hymn piece of art. Hence, "and friends just can't be found". Helloooooo? And please, do not pollute the beauty of this song by bringing talent-less American Idol contestants in to the mix. The only person who deserves accolades are Art and Paul - nuff said...
• Stu from Philly, PaRIP Harry Kalas, the Voice of the Phillies. This was one of his favorite songs, and per his request, was played at the end of his memorial at Citizens Bank Park. There was not a dry eye among us.
• Rahul from Chennai, IndiaW-O-W.... this song is sooo beautiful and haunting....n guys..i don't think this is abt God... like somebody said before it's abt friends being there for each other.... art garfunkel's vocals are among the best in his career.... especially the line "when evening falls so hard" haunts me everytime i hear it n i get goosebumps.... i rate this as one of the greatest songs ever recorded...
• Oldpink from New Castle, InSimon has written so many great songs, but this is the best to me.
  Actually, I'm glad that Art sang the lead, but Paul is also right there, singing harmony.
  Fantastic lyrics, great pipes from the boys.
  What else could you ask for?
• Will from Baghdad, IraqTHIS IS NOT ABOUT GOD!!!!!!! it is about a friend who is always there to help. the friend is the bridge, the bridge will always b there for u to get over the troubled water. ITS NOT ABOUT GOD!!!
• Larry from Riverside, CaMy take on this song is of a more spiritual/religous nature. It's saying to me that God/Jesus will be there for me no matter what.
  Garfunkel's voice on this song is so pure. One of the greatest songs ever recorded.
• Lynell Robertson from Seattle, WaI have been thinking about this song alot lately, and sing it to my dog. I have had the funniest thought that this song could possibly be about the love of good dogs. They lay down with you when you are feeling small and weary, when friends are few and they do "take your part" when pain is all around. The "Silver Girl" in the lyric, sounds as though it really could be about a wonderful dog, a great friend who loves someone very much. That is the way I have been interpreting the song lately. At any rate, it is beautiful and soothing, and I am pretty sure it's not about drugs. Beautiful song and always in my heart, forever.
• Stosh from Springfield, MaMy feeling is that the lyrics to this song reflect the time in both artists lives. They were at the end of their collaboration and I believe that Paul wrote the lyrics to Art to let him know that no matter what he would always be there for him, which was reinforced when they both sang "In My Little Town" on Garfunkle's "Breakaway" album and also by their Concert In Central Park....
• Vince from San Francisco, CaWhat a powerful, emotional piece!
• Terri from St. Louis, MoThere is a line in "Mary, Don't You Weep," by the Swan Silvertones, where the singer just ad libs, "He'll be your bridge over troubled waters if you just call on His name." Reportedly this is where the idea for the song came from.
• Jim from Airdrie, AbA truly classic song, timeless and powerfully emotive. A tale I heard about the recording of this song, was that it took weeks to get the vocal track down, for Art's voice had a tendency to crack on the high notes. Can anyone verify?
  - Jim, Calgary, Canada
• Jim from Brunswick, MeThis is by far my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song. I'm more spiritual than religious, so this song hits home for me. With all the anti-war demonstrations, race riots having happened the previous few summers, etc. this song really hit a nerve. Emotionally powerful, lyrically beautiful & gorgeously sung, it deserved every Grammy awarded to it. Chartwise, it was their biggest hit (6 weeks at #1).
• Steve from Hermitage, TnThis song has, in my opinion, one of the best piano parts in a popular song. I was bummed when I saw the video to this song from The Concert in Central Park and it had a less interesting part, played on an electric piano.
• Heather from Los Angeles, CaLord, I love this song.
• Musicmama from New York, NyBy far G&F's best. I've always loved Art's voice, and this song was the perfect vehicle for it. And this song shows how good a lyricist Paul Simon could be when he wasn't trying to be more "hip" than he actually was or simply being solipsistic. Unfortunately, that happened only on a few of his other songs, two of which were on the "Bridge Over Troubled Water" album: "The Boxer" and "Frank Lloyd Wright."
• Gregg from Middletown, CtTo those of you who find drug references in this song, I can only think that must be easy to do if you're the one who's high! "A pusher coming to the aid of an addict"? What kind of "aid" is that? GMAFB! It's about being there for a friend in need; the "Silver Girl" was Paul Simon's girlfriend, who had found a gray hair; the cymbals are there to emphasize the climax of the song; and, believe it or not, Elvis is dead - and has been for a long, long time!
• Patrick from Wr. Neustadt, AustriaRoberta Flack covered the song on her 1971 album Quiet Fire. Her rendition was used in the 2006 movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" starring Will Smith and his son Jaden.
• Dom from MontrÃ?al, CanadaGarfunkel's vocals are simply amazing. He's probably one of the best singers of his time.
• Jon from Oakridge, OrJohnny Cash covered this song in his last album American IV:The Man Comes Around.
• Emma from Hickville, PaAs for what AJ said about a cover in Wayne's World 2, if I'm not mistaken this is because the end is basically satire of The Graduate.
• Andy from Arlington, Va#47 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs.
• Joshua from Twin Cities, MnWillie Nelson performed this song during the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
• Jim from Honolulu, HiThis was the last song Elvis Presley ever performed live.
  The cymbal crashes at the end of the song were rumoured to mimic the initial rush that one receives when shooting heroin.
  Paul Simon has stated that he regrets not having done the vocals on this song. I believe the reason for his lament is that this is S&G's most famous song. He is said to have a tremendous ego, and it must gnaw on him that he's not singing on this classic.
• Howard from St. Louis Park, MnEven though it was Simon and Garfunkel's last Number One hit before they split up, it was one of their most beautiful songs. I also remember Aretha Franklin's gospel-like remake.
• Ken from Louisville, KyPaul Simon said that this was orginally intended to be a standard S&G 2-part harmony song, but when he heard Artie run through they lyrics on his own, he decided it would work better as a (mostly) Garfunkle solo. He said he did the middle as a duet to keep it a S&G song, and not a total Garfunkle solo.
• Paul from London, EnglandAlthough this song was out years before I was born it's one of those songs I can listen to and never get bored of it. It's a classic and is so inspiring. That probably explains the reason why it's covered by other artists so much!
• Mike from Fort Worth, TxTo say this song has some drug references is an understatement. A pusher coming to the aid of an addict is how I would characterize it. Nonetheless, it's a beautiful song. Simon writing and Garfunkel singing. What a team.
• Alan from Exeter, EnglandI have heard that Paul Simon wrote this song on a visit to Bickleigh, a small village outside Tiverton, in Devon, England. It had been stormy and there was indeed, a bridge over the (troubled) river. Can anybody verify this?
• Nessie from Sapporo, JapanDrums and piano ballads don't mix. They just don't. Thanks for nuthin' Phil Spector.
• Rob from Portage, MiI saw A Tribute to Heroes, and I can easily see why Art Garfunkel sings this song, and not Paul Simon. Either way, it's a great song
• Dee from Indianapolis, InI was a year old when this song charted, but I really have always liked it since the 1st time I heard it on the radio. It is a comforting song, but sad as well. Simon And Garfunkle were one of a kind and this is just one of many great tunes they did together.
• Kate from Armidale, Australia2004 Australian Idol runner up Anthony Callea also released this song.
• Tim from Eastborough, United StatesOriginally this song had 2 verses, but a few months later it was decided it needed a third. That's why the third verse takes a different turn on the subject (even heard in the music!)
  
  Great song!
• Honzin from Prague, Czech RepublicOne of the best songs ever!
• Jeni from Beaverton, OrThere have been alot of covers of this song, and while most really don't measure up to the original, the best one I have ever heard was by a little known West coast A Capella singing group called The Coats. They covered the song on thier 2001 album "The Coats Collection" which featured both live and studio preformances of thier best originals and covers. While its not perfection compared to S&G's original, its pretty darn close. If The Coats ever come to your area, they are defenately worth seeing, and with most shows (save for thier Christmas tours) they will preform this song.
• Shirley from Ocean, NjTo J, Olympia: How can you possibly interpret that this song is about drugs? It is about anything, but. BTW this song nevre grows old, it's absolutely beautiful.
• Helen from York, EnglandSilver girl was Paul Simon's girlfriend and later wife, Peggy. She was upset because she found a few grey hairs one day, so he teased her in the song.
• Sarah from Ottawa, CanadaI TOTALLY love this song! It has been one of my favorite songs practically forever. It is a very beautiful and inspirational songs.
  
  I was wondering if anyone knows if it's ever been on any movies?
• J from Olympia, WaI think this song is about drugs because of the Sail on Silvergirl thing sounds kind of like a needle, it might sound weird but if you look at the rest of the lyrics it makes sense.
• Maggie from Charleston, WvPaul wrote this song for Art, even though they were going through terrible times in their friendship. Many of the songs on the "Bridge" disc were written by Paul to Art (Only Living Boy in New York, So Long Frank Lloyd Wright, etc).
• Dale from Oklee, MnMy Dad was in the Veitnam War and this song is very close to him. The meaning to him is that its about comming home from the fighting is the bridge over troubled water

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