Across The Universe
The Beatles
The Cosmic Serenity of 'Across The Universe'
The Beatles' 'Across The Universe' is a song that captures the essence of spiritual and philosophical reflection, set against a backdrop of poetic imagery and a serene melody. The lyrics, penned by John Lennon, are a meditation on the nature of existence and the constancy of the universe amidst the flux of life's experiences. The opening lines, 'Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,' evoke a sense of the infinite and the transient, suggesting that words and thoughts are abundant yet ephemeral.
The chorus, 'Nothing's gonna change my world,' serves as a mantra, reinforcing the idea of an unchanging inner core of being, despite the ever-changing external world. This sentiment is underscored by the Sanskrit phrase 'Jai Guru Deva, Om,' which can be translated to 'Victory to God divine,' and is a nod to the spiritual seeking that The Beatles, particularly Lennon, were engaging in during the time of the song's creation. The juxtaposition of 'pools of sorrow, waves of joy' and other contrasting images throughout the song reflects the duality of human experience, while the repeated mantra grounds the listener in a state of peace and acceptance.
The song's ethereal quality is enhanced by its dreamlike imagery, such as 'images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes' and 'sounds of laughter, shades of life.' These lines paint a picture of the universe as a vast, interconnected tapestry of experiences, with love as the unifying force, 'shining around me like a million suns.' 'Across The Universe' is not just a song; it's a spiritual journey that invites listeners to find solace in the permanence of the cosmos and the love that binds it all together.