The Beatles, “Across The Universe” Speaks of The Stages of Grief

John Lennon, of the Beatles, considers the lyrics to his song “Across the Universe” to be his best and most poetic ever. Written simply as a knee-jerk reaction to a difficult day, John turned his day around in a most positive way through his words, “Nothing’s gonna change my world”. These same words apply to the stages of grief or what’s now referred to as “tasks.” The death of a loved one can turn your world upside down. Trying to hold onto the world as it was before is the stage of denial.  His lyrics, “Pools of sorrow waves of joy, are drifting through my open mind”, can be viewed as how the stages of grief overcome one as the shock of loss takes hold. The stages, or tasks, of grief are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression & acceptance.

With such a global love of the song “Across the Universe”, it’s truly a memorial song that speaks to everyone. The lyrics are a profound message of sadness and a lyrical way of coping with the death of a loved one.

Words are flowing out
Like endless rain into a paper cup

They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe

Pools of sorrow waves of joy
Are drifting through my open mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai Guru Deva, om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world

Images of broken light
Which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe

Thoughts meander like a restless wind
Inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe

Read all the lyrics here.

• Read more: Beatles – Across The Universe Lyrics | MetroLyrics
• Learn about the stages of grief.
• Check out more SevenPonds memorial songs along with reflective sayings here.