Written by Paul Simon
Dm C Hello darkness, my old friend, Dm I've come to talk with you again, F Bb F Because a vision softly creeping, Bb F Left its seeds while I was sleeping, Bb F And the vision that was planted in my brain Dm Still remains F C Dm Within the sounds of silence. Dm C In restless dreams I walked alone Dm Through narrow streets of cobblestone, F Bb F 'Neath the halo of a street lamp, Bb F I turned my collar to the cold and damp Bb F When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light Dm That split the night F C Dm And touched the sounds of silence. Dm C And in the naked light I saw Dm Ten thousand people, maybe more. F Bb F People talking without speaking, Bb F People hearing without listening, Bb F People writing songs that voices never shared Dm And no one dared F C Dm Disturb the sounds of silence. Dm C "Fools" said I, "You do not know Dm Silence like a cancer grows. F Bb F Hear my words that I might teach you, Bb F Take my arms that I might reach you." Bb F But my words like silent raindrops fell ... Dm F And echoed C Dm In the wells of silence C And the people bowed and prayed Dm To the neon god they made. F Bb F And the sign flashed out its warning, Bb F In the words that it was forming. Bb F And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls Dm And tenement halls." F C Dm And whispered in the sounds of silence.