Published Date: Aug 08, 2026 Updated Date: Aug 08, 2026
Second Song cover
English

Second Song Lyrics

Neil Young 46 views

Second Song Song Lyrics

Out on the edge of darkness
The children waited for sunrise
Something they could believe in
Something to see with their own eyes

Their moms and dads remembered
'Cause they had seen a different time
A time of sunny mornings
Walking to school and saving dimes

And yet the leaves are falling
Gathered in piles to burn outside
Somehow the smoke is calling
Somehow the embers will decide

And that's not the way of being
It's not the way of being now
Too much has changed around us
But we can bring it back somehow

I need to talk to someone
Someone who smiles and answers back
Someone as old as I am
Who still remembers some of that

I dream a way of living
A way of sharing what we find
A way of walking slowly
Through the smokey leaves of time

When I woke up this morning
I heard a melody and a rhyme

I knew the song was over
But I couldn't find the time
The words just tumbled forward
In this second song of mine

Drifting in a sea of darkness
The captain waited for sunrise
Thought he saw a mermaid comin'
Off the bow and rubbed his eyes

Thought he saw a distant glowin'
Songbirds playin' in the sky
But his eyes were playin' tricks on him
In his heart, he wondered why

Cross town at the incubator
Eggs were hatchin' everywhere
Those birds would soon be flyin'
They knew that's when they'd feel the air

We won't remember them
'Cause we're the ones who didn't care
Now when we think of them
We hear their songs sung everywhere

The world needs all her song birds
She needs her music in the sky
Guiding souls both in and out
Showing weakness how to fly

Not like that TV show
Not like the words on channel five
Somethin' that makes you smile
Somethin' that makes you fly

Make it up on another day
Baby, I don't care
Make it up on another day
Baby, I don't care
Make it up on another day
Baby, I don't care
Make it up on another day
Baby, I don't care

β€œSecond Song” is a contemplative song by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts in which the artist reflects on a changing world through his memories, connection with nature and a desire to resurrect something long gone. The imagery includes children hoping for a brighter morning, parents longing for the simpler times, falling leaves and an increasingly alien world. In addition, birds, music and sunrise symbolize hope, freedom and rebirth. The latter verses become quite dreamlike and tell the tale of a captain, lights in the distance and newly hatched birds, until the point comes when the world again becomes in need of music and leaders who can lead other people forward. Thus, β€œSecond Song” has a contemplative, nostalgic tone and implies that despite all the changes in the world, there still remains reason to care, remember and move forward.

Credits

Singer(s) Neil Young
Composer(s) Neil Young
Lyricist(s) Neil Young , The Chrome Hearts
Release Aug 07, 2026
Language English

Contributors

KB
LYRICS FINDER Aug 08, 2026
Source identification
DR
LYRICS EDITOR Aug 08, 2026
Formatted & structured lyrics
VM
PUBLISHED BY Aug 08, 2026
Content management team
ZS
TRANSLATION EDITOR Aug 08, 2026
Translated lyrics & meanings
MK
FACT CHECKED BY Aug 08, 2026
Verified against original audio

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