About the Song
Background
- Released in 1968 on the Beatles’ self-titled album, also known as the “White Album.”
- Written by Paul McCartney, although some credit goes to John Lennon for helping with the melody.
- One of the first songs recorded for the album.
Themes
- Hope and perseverance: The lyrics encourage someone facing struggles to keep striving for freedom.
- Civil rights: McCartney has said the song was inspired by the civil rights movement in the US during the 1960s.
- Overcoming challenges: The blackbird becomes a metaphor for someone struggling but with the potential to break free.
Lyrics
The song features two main verses that repeat with slight variations. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:
- Blackbird singing in the dead of night: Sets the scene and introduces the blackbird, which becomes a symbol.
- Take these sunken eyes and learn to see: Offers help to someone who seems downtrodden and unable to see a way out.
- All your life you were only waiting for this moment to be free: Speaks to the idea that the person’s struggle has been building for a long time, but there’s an opportunity for liberation.
- Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly: The core message – urging the person to take flight and claim their freedom.
- Into the line of a dark black night / Into the light of a dark black night: Creates a sense of both the challenges and the potential for hope.
- Take these broken wings and learn to fly: Acknowledges the person’s difficulties but emphasizes the possibility of overcoming them.
Video
Lyric
Blackbird singing in the dead of nightTake these broken wings and learn to flyAll your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of nightTake these sunken eyes and learn to seeAll your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird fly, blackbird flyInto the light of a dark black night
Blackbird fly, blackbird flyInto the light of a dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of nightTake these broken wings and learn to flyAll your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to ariseYou were only waiting for this moment to ariseYou were only waiting for this moment to arise