Lonely Blues Man
Journey of Reflection: Lonely Blues Man by Billy Collins
Lyrics
Sitting here by the railroad track
Sitting by the railroad track, indicating a sense of isolation or being alone
Aint got a care in the world
Feeling carefree, unconcerned
Just me and my rucksack
Carrying a rucksack, symbolizing personal baggage or belongings
Hanging right on my back
The rucksack hanging on the speaker's back, possibly signifying burdens or past experiences
I’ve spent my time with one night stands
Having engaged in casual relationships (one night stands)
And I cant stand no more
Expressing discontent, reached a limit in tolerating something
Waiting to go home!
Impatiently waiting to return home
I’m going home
Repetition emphasizes the longing and anticipation to return to the speaker's place of belonging
I’m going home
-To the place where I belong
-I’m going home
-I’m going home
-To the place where I belong
-Will my people remember me?
Questioning whether the speaker's family or community will remember them
Will they know what I have achieved?
Contemplating if their achievements will be recognized by their people
Will they all welcome me?
Questioning if they'll be welcomed back by their community
Will they open there eyes to see?
Asking if people will realize or acknowledge what the speaker has accomplished
What I have done
Reflecting on personal achievements or actions
I’m going home
Continued emphasis on the desire to return home
I’m going home
-To the place where I belong
-I’m going home
-I’m going home
-To the place where I belong
-Train starting now to pull in
Noticing a train arriving or about to arrive
A dark cloud is following me
A sense of foreboding or impending trouble represented by the dark cloud
Will it be there when I am home?
Uncertainty about whether the troubles will persist when the speaker returns home
Nobody knows
Highlighting the unknown, the uncertainty of what awaits
Will it rain on me
Wondering if there will be unfavorable circumstances upon returning home (metaphorically represented as rain)
I’m going home
Reiteration of the strong desire to go back home despite uncertainties
I’m going home
-To the place where I belong
-I’m going home
-I’m going home
-To the place where I belong
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