Let It Be, by The Beatles: lyrics, translation and song analysis
Let it be It is one of the most famous ballads of the band The Beatles, released in 1970 on the album of the same name. Written by Paul McCartney and composed with the participation of John Lennon, at first glance it seems to address a religious theme, but in reality it is an episode in Paul's life. His message, however, has inspired the world for a few decades.
Original lyrics Let it be
I
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
Oh, let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom,
Let it be
II
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer
Let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer
Let it be
Oh, let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
And there will be an answer, let it be
Oh, let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Oh, let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
III
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on until tomorrow
Let it be
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be
Oh, let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Oh let it be
Won't you let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Translation and analysis of lyrics
The feature of the song that captures the listener's attention most quickly is repetition. The structure of the theme suggests that it may have arisen from a moment of inspiration and emotion, in which the lyrical subject needs to reproduce and repeat aloud an idea or thought.
Before analyzing the lyrics, it can be perceived that there is a sense of calm in the song, as if the singing voice was trying to comfort the listener.
Qualification
The expression "Let it be" can be translated as "Let it be" or "Let it be". This expression conveys the idea of detachment, of acceptance before the facts of life.
Verse I
When I have difficult moments
Mother Mary appears,
saying wise words:
let it be
And in my hour of darkness
stand before me,
saying wise words:
let it be.
According to statements offered in various interviews, Paul McCartney wrote the song after having dreamed of his mother, Mary McCartney, who had passed away ten years earlier. Although Paul could not exactly remember the words of his mother in the dream, the meaning of his message was this: "Let it be" (let it be).
The song begins with the maternal figure, Maria, who approaches the disturbed subject and tries to calm him down. It is not clear in the song if it is a dream, a memory or the flight of her imagination that she tries to find mother's words to endure the difficult moments of life.
In a broader reading and removed from the personal context, the stanza could be understood as a manifestation of the Virgin Mary, maternal and pious figure by nature according to religion catholic.
Here, Mary represents Paul's mother, but also all mothers who appear in times of distress to comfort and advise their children with words of wisdom.
Chorus or chorus
Let it be let it be
Let it be let it be
Whispering words of wisdom, let it be
The chorus or chorus reproduces the mother's advice, replacing the verb "speak" with "whisper" and thus manages to convey a greater sense of closeness, affection and comfort. Repetition assumes the sound of a mantra, a kind of prayer or even a lullaby.
The advice is to learn to let go, be patient, stay calm in front of everything that disturbs. Faced with circumstances that hurt or are beyond our control, the subject remembers the maternal advice, trying to convince and calm himself.
Verse II
And when heartbroken people
who live in this world agree,
there will be an answer:
let it be.
Even though they may part
There is still a chance that they will understand
there will be an answer:
let it be.
Translation offers some interpretation possibilities. In the original lyrics, "parted" can be an allusion to people who are separated, isolated or who, like the subject, are in mourning for someone who has left.
In a time marked by wars and international conflicts, as well as by the counterculture hippie and their ideals of peace and love, The Beatles appealed to a position of collective and even global harmony. In this sense, in the second stanza, they leave a message of hope for the future.
According to the subject, when everyone learns to be tolerant, when they know how to accept things as they are, there will be an answer, a solution: the serenity to receive everything that life brings.
The message could also be addressed to the same fans of the band, who in a short time would suffer with the separation of the group, but would have to learn to accept it.
Paul aims to pass on the wisdom of his mother's words to others, believing that these teachings have the power to transform the world. In the original recording, "there will be an answer" is replaced by "there will be no more sadness", reinforcing the possibility and strength of this transformation. In this passage, "let it be" can also be understood "let it go", "let that moment come".
Verse III
And when the night is cloudy
there's still a light shining on me
shine until tomorrow:
let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me,
saying wise words:
let it be.
The last stanza begins with a reference to the cloudy night, a nostalgic scene, which suggests loneliness, sadness or despair. This mist or mist can also be a metaphor for the confused mind or state of mind.
The next verse is in charge of showing the counterpart of darkness, that is, light as a symbol of faith and strength. The luminous presence "shines until tomorrow", that is, when the sun returns, when the happy days return, and the subject clings to his inner light and hope.
The expression "let it be" in this particular stanza can be interpreted as "let it pass" in the sense of "keep walking." With the verse "I wake up to the sound of music" we remember that life is transformed, that it improves. Music in the morning represents the idea of a new beginning, a new day with inspiration and enthusiasm.
Some interpretations assume that the singer's mother appeared in a dream to console him for the impending separation from the band, and this would explain the reference to music in this stanza: Paul would be conveying to his fans that the members of The Beatles would continue their careers in lonely.
Meaning of the song
The song's message seems outrageously simple by limiting itself to two words: "let it be." However, these words summarize a position in front of life, a way of dealing with frustrations and everything that is beyond personal control.
The song is, above all, a lesson in patience, optimism and hope. Paul places in the mother's voice the soothing words that he needs to hear in order to bear the bitterness of fate with serenity.
The appearance of the mother, at the moment when the subject needs her most, evokes the eternal union, the unbreakable bond between mothers and children, a love stronger than death itself.
Similar to the appearance of an angel, the memory of Mary advises him not to worry too much about problems, or to think too much about sad things, because life is in constant transformation.
It is necessary to learn to exercise calm, tolerance, inner peace and forgiveness, sustained by faith in the promise of better days. the subject repeats this teaching like a mantra, trying to internalize and transmit the learning to others.
Faced with defeats or episodes of loneliness or sadness, the advice that The Beatles share is this: forget about it, accept that things happen, life goes on, let it be.
Historic context
The period of production and release of the song (1969-1970) was a time marked by numerous political conflicts and was the scene of several social transformations. It is a time of great confrontations between the conservative mentality and the new cultural currents that made freedom their greatest flag.
War and violent conflict
In 1968, the year before the song was composed, the civil war began in Ireland as a result of religious differences between Catholics and Protestants.
The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was maintained since 1945 through indirect conflicts, such as the Vietnam War (1955-1975).
The battle between North Vietnam and South Vietnam was actually a battle between the USSR, its communist allies, and the US, South Korea and the anti-communist countries. In the name of political interests, the US government sent young soldiers from its ranks to their deaths.
Counterculture and civil rights
This was also a highly revolutionary time regarding civil rights and especially minority rights. The words of Martin Luther King and the Black Panthers fighting for an end to discrimination racial, the Stonewall riots that sparked the LGBT struggle, and feminist marches increasingly began to call the attention.
It was evident that there was a transformation of the paradigm of youth that, influenced by the ideals of peace and love of the culture hippie, rejected the war and demanded the withdrawal of the troops.
Despite the violent confrontations that they were going through at that time, the young people fought for pacifism, forgiveness and harmony among all people.
The Beatles identified with this message and helped spread it, which is why they became a symbol for thousands of fans.
John Lennon stood out as a political activist, developing various performances, songs and installations with the artist Yoko Ono for the end of the war.
the Beatles
The British rock band was formed in 1960 in Liverpool. Two years later, he defined the members with whom he would achieve world fame: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Geroge Harrison and Ringo Starr. The Beatles became the most successful musical group in the history of popular music.
The public seemed to literally go crazy over them. That is why the expression "beatlemania" was coined. Throughout the 1960s, they continued to draw crowds of fans and definitively and undeniably influence the world of Western pop culture.
In 1969 they gave their last show and, the following year, they released the final album Let it be, accompanied by a film of the same name documenting the recording process. Even though the partnership was only legally disbanded in 1975, the members did not play or record together again.
Various reasons contributed to the band's separation, such as geographic distance, artistic differences, different visions, and new projects. Many also claim that Lennon's relationship with Yoko Ono made the process difficult, as he wanted to include it in the production of the band's songs, something that naturally the other members they would reject.
The title track of the band's latest album, Let it beIt can be interpreted as a farewell song by The Beatles for their fans, but leaving a message of hope in them.
To see the subtitled song, performed by Paul McCartney and with historical images, click on the following video:
(Text translated by Andrea Imaginario).
