What does For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her mean?

Simon & Garfunkel: For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her Meaning

Album cover for For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her album cover

Song Released: 1966


For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her Lyrics

What I dream I had, dressed in organdy
Clothed in crinoline, of smoky Burgundy
Softer than the rain

I wandered empty streets, down past the shop displays
I heard cathedral bells, tripping down the alley ways
As I walked on

And when you...

  1. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Oct 5th 2011 !⃝

    When I learned to play guitar I was brought with Simon and Garfunkel and I always loved this song. Paul Simon, tells us all what the song means on YouTube. When he's in concert, with the ever brilliant Art Garfunkel.
    He tells us that the song is not actually about romance or the love of a girl, but it's about a feeling, and how good that feeling was, as in Shangrila, written by Geof lynne and performed by ELO.
    Another one of Paul Simons songs was called overs and tells of his feelings about letting go of a feeling or fixation.
    ELO, Geof Lynne,(there's that name again), sings a song called it's over and is based on the same theme, the loss of a feeling.

  2. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Jul 14th 2010 !⃝

    I'm not sure, but I remember I cried like a baby when I heard this song shortly after being dumped by a woman I loved. Between the "finding" theme in the title and the opening line, one would be tempted to conclude that Emily is the ultimate ideal fantasy love. Beautiful song and enchanting lyrics, with images of walking through an empty city at night, transformed into the radiant joy of meeting with this woman you love so much, hearing, seeing, feeling magic in everything that follows, and knowing how wonderful it is. "I kissed your honey hair, with my grateful tears...Oh, I love you girl" Short but powerful.


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