Song to Woody
A Journey Through Woody's World: Reflections on Life, Struggle, and Hope
Lyrics
I'm out here a thousand miles from my home,
I am far away, a thousand miles from my home.
Walkin' a road other men have gone down.
I am traveling a path that others have previously taken.
I'm seein' your world of people and things,
I am observing your world of diverse people and things.
Your paupers and peasants and princes and kings.
Referencing various social classes: poor, commoners, and royalty.
Hey, hey Woody Guthrie, I wrote you a song
Greeting Woody Guthrie, expressing the creation of a song.
'Bout a funny ol' world that's a-comin' along.
Describing a troubled world in the song, a world in transition.
Seems sick an' it's hungry, it's tired an' it's torn,
Depicting the world as sick, hungry, tired, and torn.
It looks like it's a-dyin' an' it's hardly been born.
Expressing a sense of impending death in a world just beginning.
Hey, Woody Guthrie, but I know that you know
Acknowledging Woody Guthrie's understanding of the described situation.
All the things that I'm a-sayin' an' a-many times more.
Stating that Woody Guthrie knows the issues deeply.
I'm a-singin' you the song, but I can't sing enough,
Singing a song dedicated to Woody Guthrie but feeling inadequate.
'Cause there's not many men that done the things that you've done.
Recognizing Guthrie's unique achievements and experiences.
Here's to Cisco an' Sonny an' Leadbelly too,
Tribute to other folk musicians: Cisco Houston, Sonny Terry, Leadbelly.
An' to all the good people that traveled with you.
Saluting the companions who shared the journey with Woody Guthrie.
Here's to the hearts and the hands of the men
Paying homage to the labor and sacrifice of men.
That come with the dust and are gone with the wind.
Highlighting the transient nature of those who endure hardship.
I'm a-leaving' tomorrow, but I could leave today,
Expressing a desire to leave, uncertain about the exact timing.
Somewhere down the road someday.
Anticipating a departure down the road in the future.
The very last thing that I'd want to do
Stating reluctance to claim extensive hardships like Woody Guthrie.
Is to say I've been hittin' some hard travelin' too.
Acknowledging the challenging experiences of tough travel.
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