Reason to Believe
Finding Hope: Unveiling Life's Meaning in Bruce Springsteen's 'Reason to Believe'
Lyrics
Seen a man standin' over a dead dog lyin' by a highway in a ditch
Observation of a man standing over a dead dog by a highway in a ditch.
He's lookin' down kinda puzzled, pokin' that dog with a stick
The man appears puzzled, poking the dog with a stick.
Got his car doors flung open he's standin' out on Highway thirty-one
His car doors are open, standing on Highway thirty-one.
Like if he stood there long enough that dog'd get up and run
Impression that if the man stands there long enough, the dog might miraculously get up and run.
Struck me kinda funny, seem kinda funny, sir, to me
The situation strikes the observer as peculiar, yet people find reasons to believe at the end of hard days.
Still, at the end of every hard day people find some reason to believe
Despite life's challenges, people seek reasons to believe and find hope.
Now Mary Lou loved Johnny with a love mean and true
Mary Lou's deep and genuine love for Johnny.
She said "Baby, I'll work for you every day, bring my money home to you"
Mary Lou expresses commitment, willing to work for Johnny and bring her earnings home.
One day he up and left her and ever since that
Johnny abruptly leaves Mary Lou, and she patiently waits for his return.
She waits down at the end of that dirt road for young Johnny to come back
Illustrates the enduring hope and belief in the return of a loved one.
Struck me kinda funny, funny, yeah, to me
The situation seems ironic and funny, but it highlights the human tendency to find reasons to believe.
How at the end of every hard-earned day people find some reason to believe
Similar to the previous stanza, people find reasons to believe after a hard-earned day.
Take a baby to the river, Kyle William they called him
A reference to a baby named Kyle William taken to the river for a symbolic cleansing.
Wash the baby in the water, take away little Kyle's sin
Washing away the baby's sins in the water.
In a whitewash shotgun shack an old man passes away
An old man passes away in a whitewash shotgun shack.
Take his body to the graveyard and over him they pray
His body is taken to the graveyard, and prayers are offered over him.
Lord won't you tell us, tell us what does it mean
Seeking understanding from the Lord about the meaning of life's struggles.
At the end of every hard-earned day people find some reason to believe
Reiterates the theme that, despite challenges, people find reasons to believe at the end of the day.
Congregation gathers down by the riverside
A congregation gathers by the riverside.
Preacher stands with a Bible, groom stands waitin' for his bride
A preacher with a Bible and a groom waiting for his bride.
Congregation gone, the sun sets behind a weepin' willow tree
After the ceremony, the congregation disperses, and the sun sets behind a weeping willow.
Groom stands alone and watches the river rush on, so effortlessly
The groom, now alone, watches the river flow effortlessly.
Wonderin' where can his baby be
The groom wonders where his baby (bride) could be.
Still, at the end of every hard-earned day people find some reason to believe
Despite life's challenges, people still find reasons to believe at the end of the day.
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