Today’s song of the day is “Cecilia,” by legendary folk-rock duo Simon and Garfunkel.

Fun Facts:

• On the surface, “Cecilia” is a simple little song about an on-again, off-again relationship that’s driving the narrator mad.
• It has a second, deeper meaning, though. Simon said that the Cecilia of the song might refer to Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music in Catholicism. That interpretation makes the song about a songwriter with writer’s block, searching for a way to reconnect to his inspiration.
• Cecilia is also mentioned in Simon’s “The Coast.”
• “Cecilia” started life as a bit of musical improvisation at a party Simon and Garfunkel were attending.
• The song’s reference to “making love in the afternoon” was considered shockingly explicit at the time the song was released.
• When asked why the narrator had to get up to wash his face, Simon replied, “Well, it was the 60s, so I can’t remember.”

Lyrics:

(Musixmatch)

‘Cilia, you’re breaking my heart

You’re shaking my confidence daily

Oh, Cecilia, I’m down on my knees

I’m begging you please to come home

‘Cilia, you’re breaking my heart

You’re shaking my confidence daily

Oh, Cecilia, I’m down on my knees

I’m begging you please to come home

Come on home

Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia

Up in my bedroom (making love)

I got up to wash my face

When I come back to bed

Someone’s taken my place

‘Cilia, you’re breaking my heart

You’re shaking my confidence daily

Oh, Cecilia, I’m down on my knees

I’m begging you please to come home

Come on home

Oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh

(Take it up, take it up)

(Take it up, take it up)

Jubilation, she loves me again

I fall on the floor and die laughing

Jubilation, she loves me again

I fall on the floor and die laughing

Oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh