Walking Back from Willmar
Journey of Shadows: Tony's Struggle in Willmar's Neon Light
Lyrics
The steeple in the distance is lit by a neon cross
The steeple in the distance is illuminated by a neon cross.
The steeple in the distance is lit by a neon cross
Repetition of the description of the illuminated steeple.
But when he got to the door for mercy's sake, he found it to be locked
Upon reaching the door seeking mercy, the protagonist finds it locked.
Tony was a security officer down at the trailer yard
Tony, the character, works as a security officer at the trailer yard.
Tony was a security officer down at the trailer yard
Repetition of Tony's occupation and location at the trailer yard.
He lived in an abandoned reefer, at the far end of the trailer lot
Tony resides in an abandoned reefer (refrigerated container) at the far end of the trailer lot.
Sometimes he'd come to town, a stray dog trailing at his heels
Sometimes, Tony visits town with a stray dog following him.
Sometimes he'd come to town, a stray dog trailing at his heels
Repetition of Tony's occasional visits to town with a trailing stray dog.
All the stray dogs love Tony because he knows exactly how it feels
Stray dogs are fond of Tony because he understands their feelings.
He might ask you for some change, Lord knows he's a volunteer
Tony, possibly homeless, may ask for spare change; he is described as a volunteer.
He might ask you for some change, Lord knows he's a volunteer
Repetition of Tony possibly seeking spare change and being a volunteer.
Keeping an eye out for his family, keeping all his close friends near
Tony keeps a watchful eye on his family and keeps close friends nearby.
Sleeping down on the cold ground will wear your muscles out
Sleeping on the cold ground can be physically exhausting.
Sleeping down on the cold ground will wear your muscles out
Repetition of the fatigue from sleeping on the cold ground.
There ain't nothing colder than the agent's heart when he's kicking you off that Willmar shot
Describes the cold-heartedness of an agent when ejecting someone from the Willmar shot.
Tony says he'll tramp down south but no one's seen him make a move to leave
Tony expresses a desire to travel south, but there is no evidence of him taking action.
Tony says he'll tramp down south but no one's seen him make a move to leave
Repetition of Tony's intention to go south without observable action.
He just shrugs his shoulders and smiles how he'll catch out next spring
Tony shrugs off inquiries about his plans, smiling and suggesting he might leave next spring.
The steeple in the distance is lit by a neon cross
Repetition of the steeple being lit by a neon cross.
The steeple in the distance is lit by a neon cross
Repetition of the description of the illuminated steeple.
But when he got to the door for mercy's sake, he found it to be locked
Similar to line 3, the protagonist finds the door to be locked when seeking mercy.
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