Where Have All the Honest People Gone
Where Have All the Honest People Gone: A Ballad of Society's Labels
Lyrics
The people in this city call me country
The city residents consider the speaker rural or old-fashioned.
Because of how I walk and talk and smile
Due to the way the speaker walks, talks, and smiles, people associate them with country life.
Well, I don't mind them laughing in the city
The speaker doesn't mind city dwellers finding amusement in their rural demeanor.
But the country folks all say I'm citified
However, rural folks perceive the speaker as urbanized.
The fighting men may say that I'm a coward
The speaker is labeled a coward by fighters because they avoid physical aggression.
Because I never push no one around
Despite not engaging in physical altercations, the speaker is seen as a troublemaker by gentle people because they stand their ground.
Gentle people call me trouble maker
The speaker is considered a troublemaker due to their willingness to fight for their beliefs.
'Cause I'll always fight and stand my ground
The speaker is defiant and resolute, willing to fight and stand firm in their convictions.
Funny I don't fit
The speaker acknowledges feeling out of place or not fitting in.
Where have all the honest people gone?
The speaker questions the disappearance of honest people.
Some pious people point and call me sinner
Religious individuals view the speaker as a sinner due to their perceived lack of spiritual enlightenment.
Because to them I've never seen the lights
Despite being judged by some as a sinner, the speaker sees themselves as someone who acts righteously.
Other folks think of me as a preacher
Others perceive the speaker as a preacher, possibly due to their moral actions.
I'm just doing what I think is right
The speaker insists they are merely doing what they believe is right.
Wealthy people think that I am a hobo
Wealthy individuals see the speaker as a homeless person who writes sad songs.
Lean and hungry, writing mournful songs
The speaker is described as lean and hungry, creating music with a melancholic tone.
And the poor, poor people think I am a rich man
Poor people, ironically, perceive the speaker as a wealthy individual.
But really, I'm just trying to get along
The speaker clarifies that they are simply trying to get by, despite these misconceptions.
Yes it's funny I don't fit
Reiteration of the speaker feeling out of place or not fitting in.
Tell me where have all the honest people gone?
A plea questioning the whereabouts of honest people.
And the government has given me a number
The government assigns the speaker a number for bureaucratic purposes.
To simplify my birth and life and death
Despite bureaucratic categorization, someone considers the speaker significant.
And still somebody thinks I'm awful important
The speaker finds solace in this connection, especially if it's all they have left.
That's enough if she's all I got left
The importance lies in having someone, even if it's the only connection remaining.
Yeah, it's funny I don't fit
Restatement of the speaker's sense of not fitting in.
Where have all the honest people gone?
A repetition of the question about the disappearance of honest people.
It's funny I don't fit
Reiteration of the speaker's feelings of not fitting in.
Where have all the honest people gone?
Another plea questioning the whereabouts of honest people.
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