This song is often seen as a reference to the Prodigal Son parable in the New Testament of the Bible. But the song’s writer, Kerry Livgren, denies it has any specific religious foundation, instead being about a general feeling of spiritual alienation.
In fact, Livgren did not convert to Christianit...
[Intro]
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
[Instrumental Break]
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 1]
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher but I flew too high
Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say
[Chorus]
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
[Verse 2]
Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say
[Chorus]
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more, no!
[Instrumental Break]
[Organ Solo]
[Guitar Solo]
[Bridge]
Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life's no longer empty
But surely heaven waits for you
[Chorus]
Carry on, my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry, don't you cry no more
[Instrumental Break]
[Guitar Solo]
[Outro]
No more
Carry On Wayward Son was written by Kerry Livgren.
Carry On Wayward Son was produced by Kansas & Jeff Glixman.
Kansas released Carry On Wayward Son on Fri Nov 19 1976.