Hello in There
A Poignant Reflection on Aging and Isolation: Hello in There by Emmylou Harris
Lyrics
We had an apartment in the city
We had a residence in the city.
Me and Loretta liked living there
Loretta and I enjoyed living there.
Well, it'd been years since the kids had grown
Many years have passed since our children grew up.
A life of their own left us alone
Our children have their own lives now, leaving us alone.
John and Linda live in Omaha
John and Linda reside in Omaha.
And Joe is somewhere on the road
Joe is traveling on the road.
We lost Davy in the Korean War
We lost Davy in the Korean War, and the reason remains unknown.
And I still don't know what for, don't matter anymore
The loss of Davy doesn't matter anymore.
You know that old trees just grow stronger
Old trees symbolize strength, and old rivers become wilder each day.
And old rivers grow wilder every day
Old people feel increasingly isolated and lonely.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to acknowledge their existence.
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
Expressing the desire for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
Me and Loretta, we don't talk much more
Communication between Loretta and the speaker has diminished.
She sits and stares through the backdoor screen
Loretta spends time staring through the backdoor screen.
And all the news just repeats itself
News becomes repetitive, resembling a forgotten dream.
Like some forgotten dream that we've both seen
A shared experience that no longer holds significance.
Someday I'll go and call up Rudy
Expressing the intention to call up Rudy, a former colleague.
We worked together at the factory
Rudy and the speaker worked together at the factory.
But what could I say if he asks "What's new?"
Uncertainty about what to say if Rudy asks, "What's new?"
"Nothing, what's with you? Nothing much to do."
Nothing significant is happening; there's not much to do.
You know that old trees just grow stronger
Reiteration of the idea that old trees grow stronger.
And old rivers grow wilder every day
Old rivers become wilder, emphasizing the resilience of nature.
Old people just grow lonesome
Old people experience increasing loneliness.
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
Repetition of the desire for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
So if you're walking down the street sometime
An invitation to acknowledge elderly individuals on the street.
And spot some hollow ancient eyes
A plea not to ignore the hollow, ancient eyes of the elderly.
Please don't just pass 'em by and stare
Request to show compassion and not just pass by without care.
As if you didn't care, say, "Hello in there, hello."
Encouragement to say, "Hello in there, hello."
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