Beyoncé’s 16 Carriages Lyrics: Personal Meaning Explained

February 19, 2024, 7:50 p.m.

In “16 Carriages,” Beyoncé opens up about her life and the effect her work as a child had on her.

Beyoncé stopped the world again. What are his lyrics in “16 Carriages” about and how do they relate to his life?

Bey is back and I sleep very well at night! Yesterday (February 11), Beyoncé broke the internet after announcing new music in a Super Bowl commercial for Verizon. Beyoncé has since confirmed rumors that she will be releasing a country album. Not only that, but she also released two exquisite country songs: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”

LEARN MORE: Beyoncé Act II: release date, tracklist, news and theories on the Renaissance sequel

“Texas Hold ‘Em” is a great country jam made for a party. Meanwhile, “16 Carriages” is a moving country ballad in which Beyoncé talks about her childhood and the sacrifices she made for her career. But what do all these references mean? Below is a full overview of Beyoncé’s “16 Carriages” lyrics and their meaning.

What does “16 carts” mean?

While Beyoncé has yet to speak about “16 Carriages,” the phrase “16 Carriages” appears to be a double entender in reference to her life. Literally, the expression seems to refer to tour trucks and the fact that they are a physical representation of Beyoncé’s dreams. Metaphorically, this could be a version of “16 Candles” and refer to Beyoncé turning 16 and how her life changed at that age.

In the song, Beyoncé sings candidly about her life experience. In the first verse, she reflects on Destiny’s Child’s debut when she was just 15 years old and how she had to grow up quickly. She sings: “At fifteen, innocence went astray / I had to leave my home at a very young age / I saw mama pray, I saw daddy squeal / All my tender problems, I had to leave behind me.”

Beyoncé then hints at touring with Destiny’s Child. She sings: “It’s been dozens of summers, and I’m not in my bed / In the back of the bus and on a bunk with the band / I’m going so hard, I have to choose myself / Underpaid and overworked / I could cook, clean, but I still won’t fold / I’m still working on my life, you know / Only God knows, only God knows.

She then turns it around later in the song and sings about recent life on tour and the effect it has on her and her family. She sings: “It’s been thirty-eight summers, and I’m not in my bed / In the back of the bus and on a bunk with the band / It’s going so hard, now I miss my kids / Overworked and overwhelmed.”

LEARN MORE: The Deep Meaning of Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘Em Lyrics Explained

Beyoncé – 16 CARRIAGES (Official Lyric Video)

Beyoncé is even more outspoken on the bridge, singing about her support for her family and alluding to her father’s infidelity. She sings: “At fifteen, innocence went astray / I had to take care of the house from a young age / I saw mom cry, I saw dad lie / I had to sacrifice and leave my fears behind / The legacy, if it’s the last thing I do.”

Based on the lyrics, it appears that Beyoncé recorded the song when she was 38 years old in 2019. She co-wrote the song with Atia Boggs, Raphael Sadiqq, and Dave Hamelin.

LEARN MORE: Is country radio refusing to play Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘Em? The controversy explained

Beyoncé – “16 Carriages” Lyrics

CHORUS
Sixteen cars leave
While I watch them ride with my dreams away
At summer sunset on a holy night
On a long road, all the tears I fight
Sixteen cars leave
While I watch them ride with my dreams away
At summer sunset on a holy night
On a long road, all the tears I fight

VERSE 1
At fifteen, innocence was lost
I had to leave my home at a very young age
I saw mom pray, I saw dad grind
All my tender problems, I had to leave them behind

PRE-CHORUS
It’s been dozens of summers and I’m not in my bed
At the back of the bus and a bunk with the group
I’m going so hard, I have to choose myself
Underpaid and overworked
I could cook, clean, but I still won’t fold
I’m still working on my life, you know
Only God knows, only God knows
Only god knows

CHORUS
Sixteen cars leave
While I watch them ride with my fears away
At summer sunset on a holy night
On a long road, all the tears I fight
Sixteen cars leave
While I watch them ride with my fears away
At summer sunset on a holy night
On a long road, all the tears I fight

VERSE 2
Sixteen dollars, I work all day
I have no time to waste, I have art to make
I have love to create on this holy night
They won’t dim my light, all these years I’ve been fighting

PRE-CHORUS
It’s been thirty-eight summers and I’m not in my bed
At the back of the bus and a bunk with the group
It’s going so well, now I miss my children
Overworked and overwhelmed
I could cook, clean, but I still won’t bend
I’m still working on my life, you know
Only God knows, only God knows
Only god knows

CHORUS
Sixteen cars leave
While I watch them ride with my fears away
At summer sunset on a holy night
On a long road, all the tears I fight
Sixteen cars leave
While I watch them ride with my fears away
At summer sunset on a holy night
On a long road I fight all these tears

INTERLUDE
Oh oh
Oh

BRIDGE
At fifteen, innocence was lost
I had to take care of the house from a very young age
I saw mom cry, I saw dad lie
I had to sacrifice myself and leave my fears behind
Inheritance, if it’s the last thing I do
You will remember me because we have something to prove
In your memory, on a highway to the truth
I still see your faces when you close your eyes

OTHER
Sixteen cars leave
While I watch them ride with my dreams away

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