Lyrics
When Abilene was young and gay
Reflecting on the earlier, carefree days of Abilene.
And thunder storms filled up the day
Describing a time when thunderstorms dominated the daylight.
The cattle roamed outside the town
Noting the presence of roaming cattle outside the town.
Sleeping in the midday sun
Repetition emphasizing the theme of people sleeping in the midday sun, possibly symbolizing a sense of lethargy or complacency.
Sleeping in the midday sun
-Sleeping in the midday sun
-Sleeping in the midday sun
-Then tracks were lain across the plain
Introducing the idea of tracks being laid across the plain, possibly indicating progress or development.
By broken old men in torrid rains
Describing the challenging labor of broken old men in harsh rains.
The towns grew up and the people were still
Commenting on the growth of towns despite challenges faced by the people.
Sleeping in the midday sun
Repetition of people sleeping in the midday sun, emphasizing a recurring theme.
Sleeping in the midday sun
-Sleeping in the midday sun
-Sleeping in the midday sun
-We all joined in and all joined hands
Highlighting a sense of unity as people join hands to run the land together.
All joined in to help run this land
-Then soldiers came, long long ago
-Rode through the town and rode down those who were
Introducing conflict with the arrival of soldiers who disrupted the town.
Sleeping in the midday sun
Repetition emphasizing the impact of the soldiers on people sleeping in the midday sun, potentially symbolizing oppression or disturbance.
Sleeping in the midday sun
-Sleeping in the midday sun
-Sleeping in the midday sun
-Gold came and went, quickly spent
Reflecting on the transient nature of wealth, leading to breakdowns and drowning in the pain of old Abilene.
And the people broke down and often drowned
-In the wealth and pain of old Abilene
-Sleeping in the midday sun
Repetition underscoring the continued theme of people sleeping in the midday sun, possibly representing a cycle of challenges or hardships.
Sleeping in the midday sun
-Sleeping in the midday sun
-Sleeping in the midday sun
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