Let It Be – I Call It A Hymn

In the late 1960s, Paul McCartney wrote the song “Let It Be, “one of the most iconic in his long history as a songwriter and musician. I call it a hymn because of the message it conveys and the emotions it inspires in me. Some others I have spoken to agree it has the quality to classify it that way.

The story behind how the song came to be written is fascinating. As Paul relates it, he was having a lot of stress and things he was struggling with at that time in his life. He was a member of the rock and roll band that was rapidly becoming possibly one of the most popular and influential musical group of that era – The Beatles. They came from relative obscurity to being in the spotlight of the adoration of millions of fans and the sudden acquisition of wealth. Added to that, the pressures from other members of the band, agents, record companies, and deadlines put tremendous pressure on those whose sole passion is to make music. Without a healthy outlet, many artists who come from humble beginnings and skyrocket to fame turn to self-destructive methods of dealing with the pressures of drugs, alcohol, and other forms of self-harm. Many promising bands do not survive these stresses and disband. Paul got help from an unexpected source.

One night, he dreamed that his mother, Mary, came to comfort him. She had passed away some ten years ago when Paul was 14 years old. In the vision, she told him, “Don’t worry, it will be alright; just let it be.” He said he then felt great; it felt like a magical moment. He woke from the dream and thought, “What did she say. . . let it be?”. Later, he went to the piano and wrote this beautiful song. If you have yet to hear it performed, look it up and see if you agree.

Here are the lyrics:

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom; let it be

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree

There will be an answer; let it be

For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer; let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

There will be an answer; let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom; let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be, be

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me

Shinin’ until tomorrow, let it be

I wake up to the sound of music; Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom; let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom; let it be

If you wish to see Paul perform this live in 2009 at age 67, here is a link: