The Lyrics vs The Sonnets

In 2021 Paul McCartney released his book The Lyrics which contains 154 of his lyrics. Each is accompanied by some discussion of the song's origins and what it means to Paul. The book also contains many photos.

After the title page, the following quote is given a two page spread to itself:

To Thine own self be true. --William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene 3

Shakespeare's sonnets number 154. They are famously homoerotic.

sonnet 58

That god forbid, that made me first your slave, I should in thought control your times of pleasure, Or at your hand th’ account of hours to crave, Being your vassal bound to stay your leisure. O, let me suffer, being at your beck, Th’ imprisoned absence of your liberty, And patience, tame to sufferance, bide each check Without accusing you of injury. Be where you list, your charter is so strong That you yourself may privilege your time To what you will; to you it doth belong Yourself to pardon of self-doing crime. -- I am to wait, though waiting so be hell, -- Not blame your pleasure, be it ill or well.

I Don’t Know

I got crows out my window Dogs at my door I don't think I can take anymore What am I doing wrong? I don't know

My brother told me Life's not a pain That was right when it started to rain Where am I going wrong? I don't know

But it's alright Sleep tight I will take the strain You're fine Love of mine You will feel no pain

Well, I see trouble at every turn I've got so many lessons to learn What am I doing wrong? I don't know

Now what's the matter with me? Am I right? Am I wrong? Now I've started to see I must try to be strong

I've tried to love you best as I can But you know that I'm only a man Why am I going wrong? I don't know

But it's alright Sleep tight I will take the strain Yeah, you're fine Little love of mine You will feel no pain

I got crows at my window And dogs at my door But I don't think I can take anymore What am I doin' wrong? I don't know

sonnet 57

Being your slave, what should I do but tend Upon the hours and times of your desire? I have no precious time at all to spend Nor services to do till you require. Nor dare I chide the world-without-end hour Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you, Nor think the bitterness of absence sour When you have bid your servant once adieu. Nor dare I question with my jealous thought Where you may be, or your affairs suppose, But, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought Save where you are how happy you make those. -- So true a fool is love that in your will, -- Though you do anything, he thinks no ill.

House of Wax

Lightning hits the house of wax Poets spill out on the street To set alight the incomplete Remainders of the future

Hidden in the yard Hidden in the yard

Thunder drowns the trumpets blast Poets scatter through the night But they can only dream of flight Away from their confusion

Hidden in the yard Underneath the wall Buried deep below a thousand layers lay The answer to it all

Lightning hits the house of wax Woman scream and run around To dance upon the battleground Like wild demented horses

Hidden in the yard Underneath the wall Buried deep below a thousand layers lay The answer to it all Yeah

Sweet love, renew thy force. Be it not said Thy edge should blunter be than appetite, Which but today by feeding is allayed, Tomorrow sharpened in his former might. So, love, be thou. Although today thou fill Thy hungry eyes even till they wink with fullness, Tomorrow see again, and do not kill The spirit of love with a perpetual dullness. Let this sad int’rim like the ocean be Which parts the shore where two contracted new Come daily to the banks, that, when they see Return of love, more blessed may be the view. -- Or call it winter, which being full of care -- Makes summer’s welcome, thrice more wished, more rare.

Hope of Deliverance

I will always be hoping, hoping You will always be holding, holding My heart in your hand I will understand

I will understand someday, one day You will understand always, always From now until then

When it will be right, I don't know What it will be like, I don't know We live in hope of deliverance From the darkness that surrounds us

Hope of deliverance Hope of deliverance Hope of deliverance From the darkness that surrounds us

And I wouldn't mind knowing, knowing That you wouldn't mind going, going Along with my plan

When it will be right, I don't know What it will be like, I don't know We live in hope of deliverance From the darkness that surrounds us

Hope of deliverance Hope of deliverance Hope of deliverance From the darkness that surrounds us

Sonnet 55

Not marble nor the gilded monuments Of princes shall outlive this powerful rhyme, But you shall shine more bright in these contents Than unswept stone besmeared with sluttish time. When wasteful war shall statues overturn, And broils root out the work of masonry, Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory. ’Gainst death and all oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room Even in the eyes of all posterity That wear this world out to the ending doom. -- So, till the judgment that yourself arise, -- You live in this, and dwell in lovers’ eyes.

Honey Pie

She was a working girl North of England way Now she's hit the big time in the USA And if she could only hear me This is what I'd say

Honey Pie, you are making me crazy I'm in love, but I'm lazy So won't you please come home?

Oh Honey Pie, my position is tragic Come and show me the magic Of your Hollywood song

You became a legend of the silver screen And now the thought of meeting you Makes me weak in the knee

Oh Honey Pie, you are driving me frantic Sail across the Atlantic To be where you belong Honey Pie, come back to me

Will the wind that blew Her boat across the sea Kindly send her sailing back to me?

Sonnet 54

O, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem By that sweet ornament which truth doth give. The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem For that sweet odor which doth in it live. The canker blooms have full as deep a dye As the perfumèd tincture of the roses, Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly When summer’s breath their maskèd buds discloses; But, for their virtue only is their show, They live unwooed and unrespected fade, Die to themselves. Sweet roses do not so; Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odors made. -- And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth, -- When that shall vade, by verse distils your truth.

Hi, Hi, Hi

Well when I met you at the station You were standing with a bootleg in your hand I drove you back to my little place for a taste Of a multicolored band We're gonna get hi, hi, hi The night is young I'll put you in my pocket, little mama Gonna rock it and we've only just begun

We're gonna get hi, hi, hi With the music on We won't say bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-bye Til the night has gone I'm gonna do it to you, gonna do ya, sweet banana You've never been done We're gonna get hi, hi, hi In the midday sun

Well well take off your face Recover from the trip you've been on I want you to lie on the bed Getting ready for my polygon I'm gonna do it to you, gonna do ya, sweet banana You've never been done Yes so like a rabbit, gonna grab it Going to do it til the night is done

We're gonna get hi, hi, hi With the music on We won't say bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-bye Til the night has gone I'm gonna do it to you, gonna do ya, sweet banana You've never been done

We're gonna get hi, hi, hi We're going to get hi, hi, hi We're going to get hi, hi, hi In the midday sun

Sonnet 53

What is your substance, whereof are you made, That millions of strange shadows on you tend? Since everyone hath, every one, one shade, And you, but one, can every shadow lend. Describe Adonis, and the counterfeit Is poorly imitated after you; On Helen’s cheek all art of beauty set, And you in Grecian tires are painted new. Speak of the spring and foison of the year; The one doth shadow of your beauty show, The other as your bounty doth appear, And you in every blessèd shape we know. -- In all external grace you have some part, -- But you like none, none you, for constant heart.

Hey Jude

Hey Jude, don't make it bad Take a sad song and make it better Remember to let her into your heart Then you can start to make it better

Hey Jude, don't be afraid You were made to go out and get her The minute you let her under your skin Then you begin to make it better

And anytime you feel the pain Hey Jude, refrain Don't carry the world upon your shoulder For well you know that it's a fool Who plays it cool By making his world a little colder

Hey Jude, don't let me down You have found her, now go and get her Remember to let her into your heart Then you can start to make it better

So let it out and let it in Hey Jude, begin You're waiting for someone to perform with And don't you know that it's just you Hey Jude, you'll do The movement you need is on your shoulder

Hey Jude, don't make it bad Take a sad song and make it better Remember to let her under your skin Then you begin to make it better Better, better, better, better, better

Sonnet 52

So am I as the rich whose blessèd key Can bring him to his sweet up-lockèd treasure, The which he will not ev’ry hour survey, For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure. Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare, Since seldom coming in the long year set, Like stones of worth they thinly placèd are, Or captain jewels in the carcanet. So is the time that keeps you as my chest, Or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hide To make some special instant special blessed By new unfolding his imprisoned pride. -- Blessèd are you whose worthiness gives scope, -- Being had, to triumph, being lacked, to hope.

Here Today

And if I said I really knew you well What would your answer be If you were here today? Here today

Well knowing you You'd probably laugh and say That we were worlds apart If you were here today Here today

But as for me I still remember how it was before And I am holding back the tears no more I love you

What about the time we met? Well, I suppose that you could say that We were playing hard to get Didn't understand a thing But we could always sing

What about the night we cried? Because there wasn't any reason left To keep it all inside? Never understood a word But you were always there with a smile

Sonnet 51

Thus can my love excuse the slow offense Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed: From where thou art, why should I haste me thence? Till I return, of posting is no need. O, what excuse will my poor beast then find When swift extremity can seem but slow? Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind; In wingèd speed no motion shall I know. Then can no horse with my desire keep pace; Therefore desire, of perfect’st love being made, Shall neigh no dull flesh in his fiery race. But love for love thus shall excuse my jade: -- “Since from thee going he went willful slow, -- Towards thee I’ll run, and give him leave to go.”

Here, There and Everywhere

To lead a better life I need my love to be here

Here, making each day of the year Changing my life with the wave of her hand Nobody can deny that there's something there

There, running my hands through her hair Both of us thinking how good it can be Someone is speaking, but she doesn't know he's there

I want her everywhere And if she's beside me, I know I need never care But to love her is to need her everywhere Knowing that love is to share Each one believing that love never dies Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there

I want her everywhere And if she's beside me, I know I need never care But to love her is to need her everywhere Knowing that love is to share Each one believing that love never dies Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there

Will be there and everywhere Here, there and everywhere

note: the lyrics were changed for the recording of Give My Regards to Broad Street. The modified lyrics are below.

To lead a better life, I need a love of my own

Here Making each day of the year Changing my life with a wave of her hand Nobody can deny that there's something there

I want her everywhere And if she's beside me I know I need never care But to love her is to meet her everywhere Knowing that love is to share

Each one believing that love never dies Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there

Sonnet 50

How heavy do I journey on the way, When what I seek, my weary travel’s end, Doth teach that ease and that repose to say “Thus far the miles are measured from thy friend.” The beast that bears me, tired with my woe, Plods dully on, to bear that weight in me, As if by some instinct the wretch did know His rider loved not speed, being made from thee. The bloody spur cannot provoke him on That sometimes anger thrusts into his hide, Which heavily he answers with a groan, More sharp to me than spurring to his side; -- For that same groan doth put this in my mind: -- My grief lies onward and my joy behind.

Her Majesty

Sonnet 49

Against that time, if ever that time come, When I shall see thee frown on my defects, Whenas thy love hath cast his utmost sum, Called to that audit by advised respects; Against that time when thou shalt strangely pass And scarcely greet me with that sun thine eye, When love, converted from the thing it was, Shall reasons find of settled gravity; Against that time do I ensconce me here Within the knowledge of mine own desert, And this my hand against myself uprear To guard the lawful reasons on thy part. -- To leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws, -- Since why to love I can allege no cause.

Helter Skelter

When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide Where I stop, and I turn, and I go for a ride 'Til I get to the bottom and I see you again Yeah, yeah, yeah

But do you, don't you want me to love you? I'm coming down fast, but I'm miles above you Tell me, tell me, tell me, come on tell me the answer Well, you may be a lover, but you ain't no dancer

Helter-skelter, helter-skelter Helter-skelter Yeah, whoo!

Will you, won't you want me to make you? I'm coming down fast, but don't let me break you Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer You may be a lover, but you ain't no dancer

Look out! Helter-skelter, helter-skelter Helter-skelter, ooh Look out! 'Cause here she comes

When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide And I stop, and I turn, and I go for a ride And I get to the bottom and I see you again Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

But do you, don't you want me to make you? I'm coming down fast, but don't let me break you Tell me, tell me, tell me your answer You may be a lover, but you ain't no dancer

Look out! Helter-skelter, helter-skelter Helter-skelter

Sonnet 48

How careful was I, when I took my way, Each trifle under truest bars to thrust, That to my use it might unusèd stay From hands of falsehood, in sure wards of trust! But thou, to whom my jewels trifles are, Most worthy comfort, now my greatest grief, Thou best of dearest and mine only care Art left the prey of every vulgar thief. Thee have I not locked up in any chest, Save where thou art not, though I feel thou art, Within the gentle closure of my breast, From whence at pleasure thou mayst come and part; -- And even thence thou wilt be stol’n, I fear, -- For truth proves thievish for a prize so dear.

Helen Wheels

Said farewell to my last hotel, it never was much kind of abode Glasgow town never brought me down when i was heading out on the road Carlisle city never looked so pretty, and the kendal freeway is fast Slow down driver, wanna stay alive, i wanna make this journey last

Helen (helen) hell on wheels Ain't nobody else gonna know the way she feels Helen (helen) hell on wheels And they never gonna take her away

M6 south down Liverpool, where they play the west coast sound Sailor sam, he came from Birmingham, but he never will be found Doin' fine when a london sign, greets me like a long lost friend Mister motor won't you check her out, she's gotta take me back again

Helen (helen) hell on wheels Ain't nobody else gonna know the way she feels Helen (helen) hell on wheels And they never gonna take her away

Got no time for a rum and lime, i wanna get my right foot down; Shake some dust off of this old bus, i gotta get her out of town Spend the day upon the motorway, where the carburettors blast; Slow down driver, wanna stay alive, i wanna make this journey last

Sonnet 47

Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took, And each doth good turns now unto the other. When that mine eye is famished for a look, Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother, With my love’s picture then my eye doth feast And to the painted banquet bids my heart. Another time mine eye is my heart’s guest And in his thoughts of love doth share a part. So, either by thy picture or my love, Thyself away are present still with me; For thou no farther than my thoughts canst move, And I am still with them, and they with thee; -- Or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight -- Awakes my heart to heart’s and eye’s delight.

A Hard Day’s Night

It's been a hard day's night And I've been working like a dog It's been a hard day's night I should be sleeping like a log But when I get home to you I find the things that you do Will make me feel alright

You know I work all day To get you money, to buy you things And it's worth it just to hear you say You're gonna give me everything So why on earth should I moan 'Cause when I get you alone You know I feel OK

When I'm home Everything seems to be right When I'm home Feeling you holding me tight Tight, yeah

It's been a hard day's night And I've been working like a dog It's been a hard day's night I should be sleeping like a log But when I get home to you I find the things that you do Will make me feel alright, owww!

So why on earth should I moan 'Cause when I get you alone You know I feel OK

When I'm home Everything seems to be right When I'm home Feeling you holding me tight Tight, yeah

Sonnet 46

Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war How to divide the conquest of thy sight. Mine eye my heart thy picture’s sight would bar, My heart mine eye the freedom of that right. My heart doth plead that thou in him dost lie, A closet never pierced with crystal eyes; But the defendant doth that plea deny, And says in him thy fair appearance lies. To ’cide this title is impanelèd A quest of thoughts, all tenants to the heart, And by their verdict is determinèd The clear eyes’ moiety and the dear heart’s part,  -- As thus: mine eyes’ due is thy outward part,  -- And my heart’s right, thy inward love of heart.

Great Day

When you're wide awake Say it for goodness sake It's gonna be a great day While you're standing there Get up and grab a chair It's gonna be a great day

And it won't be long, oh no It won't be long, it won't be long, no no It won't be long, it won't be long, oh no It won't be long, it won't be long, ooh

Ooh, ooh, yeah Gonna be a great day

And it won't be long, oh no It won't be long, it won't be long, no no It won't be long, it won't be long, oh no It won't be long, it won't be long, ooh

Sonnet 45

The other two, slight air and purging fire, Are both with thee, wherever I abide; The first my thought, the other my desire, These present-absent with swift motion slide. For when these quicker elements are gone In tender embassy of love to thee, My life, being made of four, with two alone Sinks down to death, oppressed with melancholy; Until life’s composition be recured By those swift messengers returned from thee, Who even but now come back again, assured Of thy fair health, recounting it to me. -- This told, I joy; but then, no longer glad, -- I send them back again and straight grow sad.

Got To Get You Into My Life

I was alone, I took a ride, I didn't know what I would find there. Another road where maybe I Could see another kind of mind there.

Ooh, then I suddenly see you, Ooh, did I tell you I need you Ev'ry single day of my life?

You didn't run, you didn't lie, You knew I wanted just to hold you. And had you gone, you knew in time we'd meet again, For I had told you.

Ooh, you were meant to be near me, Ooh, and I want you to hear me Say we'll be together ev'ry day.

Got to get you into my life!

What can I do, what can I be? When I'm with you, I want to stay there. If I'm true I'll never leave, And if I do, I know the way there.

Ooh, then I suddenly see you, Ooh, did I tell you I need you Ev'ry single day of my life?

Sonnet 44

If the dull substance of my flesh were thought, Injurious distance should not stop my way, For then, despite of space, I would be brought From limits far remote, where thou dost stay. No matter then although my foot did stand Upon the farthest earth removed from thee, For nimble thought can jump both sea and land As soon as think the place where he would be. But, ah, thought kills me that I am not thought, To leap large lengths of miles when thou art gone, But that, so much of earth and water wrought, I must attend time’s leisure with my moan; -- Receiving nought by elements so slow -- But heavy tears, badges of either’s woe.

Goodbye

Please, don't wake me up too late Tomorrow comes and I will not be late Late today, when it becomes tomorrow I will leave to go away.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye My love, goodbye.

Songs that lingered on my lips Excite me now and linger on my mind Leave your flowers at my door I'll leave them for the one who waits behind

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye My love, goodbye.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye My love, goodbye.

Far away my lover sings a lonely song And calls me to his side When the song of lonely love invites me on I must go to his side.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye My love, goodbye.

Sonnet 43

When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see, For all the day they view things unrespected; But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee And, darkly bright, are bright in dark directed. Then thou whose shadow shadows doth make bright, How would thy shadow’s form form happy show To the clear day with thy much clearer light When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so! How would, I say, mine eyes be blessèd made By looking on thee in the living day, When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay! -- All days are nights to see till I see thee, -- And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.

Good Day Sunshine

Good day sunshine, Good day sunshine, Good day sunshine.

I need to laugh, and when the sun is out, I've got something I can laugh about. I feel good in a special way. I'm in love an' it's a sunny day.

Good day sunshine, Good day sunshine, Good day sunshine.

We take a walk the sun is shining down, Burns my feet as they touch the ground.

Good day sunshine, Good day sunshine, Good day sunshine.

Then we'd lie beneath a shady tree. I love her and she's loving me. She feels good. She knows she's looking fine. I'm so proud to know that she is mine.