In the days
When we were swinging from the trees
I was a monkey
Stealing honey from a swarm of bees
I could taste
I could taste you even then
And I would chase you down the wind

You could go there if you please
Wild honey
And if you go there, go with me
Wild honey

Did I know you?
Did I know you even then?
Before the clocks kept time
Before the world was made

From the cruel sun
You were shelter
You were my shelter and my shade

If you go there with me
Wild honey
You can do just what you please
Wild honey
Yeah, just blowing in the breeze
Wild honey
Wild, wild, wild

I'm still standing, I'm still standing
Where you left me
Are you still growing wild
With everything tame around you?

I send you flowers
Cut flowers for your hall
I know your garden is full
But is there sweetness at all?

Oh oh oh

If you go there go with me
Wild honey
Won't you take me, take me please
Wild honey
Yeah, swinging through the trees
Wild honey
Wild, wild, wild


Lyrics submitted by Novartza

Wild Honey Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Wild Honey song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    samseasonal got it right. This song is about God. If you know anything about U2, you know that all of their songs are about God, even if tangentially.

    This song uses the origins of humanity to explore the human awareness of God, including the idea that our modern 'tameness' may not be exactly what God would want for us, echoing C.S. Lewis' view that God [Aslan] is not a tame lion, but he is good. Good, but not tame, is the key to this song, and awakens that within us which is good, but desires to not be so tamed. This part of us may be the part that is the most aware of God.

    piedogon January 16, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    could be wrong but im pretty sure this is their one and only song about sex on the album

    fasternuon January 15, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    good thoughts above on this one. i would probably venture to say this is not about sex, but about God. i think it is pondering a relationship with God through the history of the world, going back through evolution (maybe, "I was a monkey"), and before creation ("before the world was made"). "you were my shelter and my shade" is very much biblical language, as is the mention of the oppression of the sun ("cruel sun"). John the baptist was known to eat "wild field honey" as is referred to in Mark 1:6 (according to The Message, the bible translation Bono uses). although, the imagery of "garden" is used in the Song of Songs as a sexual metaphor, i think "your garden" is most likely meaning Eden. just some ideas.

    samseasonalon March 07, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is a good old-fashioned summertime jam. Love it.

    "Are you still growing wild with everything tame around you?" feels like they're kinda' growing up and he's wondering if she's still the same free-spirit she used to be. If she held onto that. And if she does, if she goes there, he wants a taste of it, too.

    cubbyblueson March 31, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Such a beautiful chorus. For some reason it reminds me of the Christian pop music I used to hear at my contemporary church camp. Idk maybe it’s the chords and the key of the song. Regardless, it’s a wonderful tune that every U2 should listen to.

    Spooky_Toothon February 16, 2023   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Personally, I really like this song. I know it's one of their 'throw-away' songs on that album(as bassist Adam Clayton put it), but still, it's pretty. It's an innocent song, and I love Edge's harmony, and the guitar!

    U2aholicon July 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    one of the best one's on "All that you can't leave behind"

    wild floweron July 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's my least favorite U2 song, next to "Sweetest Thing". I really dislike it but still love U2. I forgive them of this sin.

    deathbearon November 24, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "deathbear", this song is NOT a sin. far from it. and "golgotha" the lyrics printed are correct. your "could flowers thaw your heart" are imaginative but sadly false. and if this is a "throwaway" song it's the best i've heard.

    junnerson January 06, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I must admit I like this song, next to In a little while. If you ask me it is a great over looked song on the album and to me relates to the traditional relationship between a man and a woman.

    SMUSER17019091on January 24, 2005   Link

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