The Beatles - Blackbird Lyrics

The Beatles Lyrics

"Blackbird"
("Anthology 3" Version)

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Submit Corrections

Thanks to Zoe K. for correcting these lyrics.

Writer(s): Paul McCartney, John Lennon

Paul McCartney has given differing statements regarding his inspiration for the song and its meaning. Once he has said he was inspired by hearing the call of a blackbird one morning when The Beatles were studying Meditation in India. Another time, he recalls writing it as a response to racial tensions escalating in the United States during the spring of 1968.

The guitar accompaniment for the song was inspired by a well-known Johann Sebastian Bach's classical lute piece "Bourrée in E minor".

"Blackbird" is one of the most famous fingerstyle tunes, the song novice guitar players often try to learn. The fingerpicking technique that McCartney uses in the song was taught to him by folk singer Donovan.

compilation: "Anthology 3" (1996)

The Beatles - Anthology 3 compilation cover

A Beginning

(Instrumental)

Happiness Is A Warm Gun

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

What's The New Mary Jane

Step Inside Love / Los Paranoias

I'm So Tired

I Will

Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

Julia

I've Got A Feeling

She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

Medley: Rip It Up / Shake, Rattle And Roll / Blue Suede Shoes

The Long And Winding Road

Oh! Darling

All Things Must Pass

Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues

Get Back

Old Brown Shoe

Octopus's Garden

Maxwell's Silver Hammer

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"Blackbird" lyrics

The Beatles Lyrics