That's The Way (Led Zeppelin)

[ImThatGuyToo]

I've been thinking a lot about this song, and I can't figure out what it's about. I checked the Songfacts and a couple theories were listed, but nothing too in-depth. What are your thoughts?

Lyrics:

I don't know how I'm gonna tell you

I can't play with you no more,

I don't know how I'm gonna do what mama told me,

My friend, the boy next door.

I can't believe what people saying

You're gonna let your hair hang down,

I'm satisfied to sit here working all day long,

You're in the darker side of town.

And when I'm out I see you walking,

Why don't your eyes see me,

Could it be you've found another game to play,

What did mama say to me.

*That's The Way,

Oh, That's The Way it ought to be,

Yeah, yeah, mama say

That's The Way it ought to stay.

And yesterday I saw you standing by the river,

And weren't those tears that filled your eyes,

And all the fish that lay in dirty water dying,

Had they got you hypnotized?

And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers,

But all that lives is born to die.

And so I say to you that nothing really matters,

And all you do is stand and cry.

I don't know what to say about it,

When all you ears have turned away,

But now's the time to look and look again at what you see,

Is that the way it ought to stay?

That's the way

That's the way it oughtta be

Oh don't you know now

Mama said.. that's the way it's gonna stay, yeah.

Any insight would be appreciated.

[MarcM]

ThatGuy, check out this link. Lots of ideas there. I too like that song, but just took it that the story tellers mom would not let him play with the kid next door anymore, possibly due to racism or class difference. I dont know....

http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=7762