How to interpret this song?

[yeawutever]

Does anyone have any idea what on earth does this song means? What does each 5 stanza means? The song is the following: The Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel

 

Hello darkness, my old friend,

I've come to talk with you again,

Because a vision softly creeping,

Left its seeds while I was sleeping,

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence.

 

In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone,

'Neath the halo of a street lamp,

I turned my collar to the cold and damp

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light

That split the night

And touched the sound of silence.

 

And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more.

People talking without speaking,

People hearing without listening,

People writing songs that voices never share

And no one dare

Disturb the sound of silence.

 

"Fools" said I, "You do not know

Silence like a cancer grows.

Hear my words that I might teach you,

Take my arms that I might reach you."

But my words like silent raindrops fell,

And echoed

In the wells of silence

 

And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made.

And the sign flashed out its warning,

In the words that it was forming.

And the sign said, "The words of the prophets

are written on the subway walls

And tenement halls."

And whisper'd in the sounds of silence.

[yeawutever]

I have a presentation on this tomorrow and have to explain what each stanza really means but I don't understand anything at all. I don't get it.... so I'm lost. Or should I just start inventing things but think the professional knows what it's really about so it'll probably won't help me at all.

 

My reading comprehension skill in both poetry and songs with sophisticated words is very abysmal. I tried going over this song again and still don't understand anything at all.

 

If anyone is into poetry or lyrics by nature.... you can help out... say what you know..

[flowerchild11]

lovely song, this may help you

link removed

 

good luck!

[yeawutever]

Ok I'm reading it through it... hopefully this will help me out. Thanks

[Silverbirch]

You might find this link worthwhile reading and referencing as the info is taken from an interview with the songwriter.

 

link removed

[OrangeSlice]

I always thought that songs have different meanings to different people, like each person will interpret a song differently.

[hariom249]

I always thought that songs have different meanings to different people, like each person will interpret a song differently.

i completely agree with you.

[yeawutever]

Ok I did well on the presentation... thanks to all who tried helping me on this.