"Night Game" by Paul Simon tells the story of an intense baseball game where tragedy strikes when the pitcher dies on the mound. The narrator describes the somber aftermath, with the cold night, old stadium, and the season being lost.

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Meaning of "Night Game" by Paul Simon


The lyrics of "Night Game" go beyond the surface-level story of a baseball game and touch upon themes of mortality, loss, and the passage of time. The death of the pitcher symbolizes the unpredictability and fragility of life. It disrupts the game and leaves a lasting impact on the players and the stadium. The cold night and the old stadium further emphasize the passage of time and the transient nature of human endeavors. The reference to the stars being white as bones suggests a sense of emptiness and silence in the face of tragedy. The tarpaulin being rolled onto the winter frost signifies the end of the season and the inevitable arrival of winter, a metaphor for the inevitable end of all things. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of melancholy and the transient nature of life, urging listeners to reflect on the impermanence of human achievements and the fleeting nature of our existence.