Ramblin' Man
Wandering Soul's Journey: Ramblin' Man's Tale
Lyrics
Lord, I was born a ramblin' man
Expresses the speaker's innate nature as a wanderer or traveler.
Tryin' to make a livin' and doin' the best I can
Describes the speaker's pursuit of a livelihood while doing their best.
And when it's time for leavin'
Refers to the inevitable moment of departure or leaving.
I hope you'll understand
Expresses the hope that others will comprehend the speaker's need to roam.
That I was born a ramblin' man
Reiterates the speaker's intrinsic nature as a wanderer.
My father was a gambler down in Georgia
Introduces the speaker's father as a gambler in Georgia.
He wound up on the wrong end of a gun
Describes the father's unfortunate fate involving a gun.
And I was born in the back seat of a Greyhound bus
Details the speaker's unconventional birth in the back seat of a Greyhound bus on highway forty-one.
Rollin' down highway forty-one
Highlights the mobile and transient nature of the speaker's early life.
Lord, I was born a ramblin' man
Repeats the assertion of being born as a rambling man.
Tryin' to make a livin' and doin' the best I can
Reiterates the speaker's pursuit of making a living and doing their best.
And when it's time for leavin'
Repeats the theme of eventual departure.
I hope you'll understand
Expresses the hope for understanding during the departure.
That I was born a ramblin' man
Affirms the speaker's identity as a rambling man.
I'm on my way to New Orleans this mornin'
Specifies the destination of the speaker—New Orleans.
I'm leavin' out of Nashville, Tennessee
Indicates the departure from Nashville, Tennessee.
They're always having a good time down on the bayou
Portrays the enjoyable atmosphere in New Orleans, particularly on the bayou.
Lord, them Delta women think the world of me
Highlights the positive regard of Delta women for the speaker.
Lord, I was born a ramblin' man
Reiterates the speaker's inherent nature as a rambling man.
Tryin' to make a livin' and doin' the best I can
Restates the dual pursuit of making a living and doing the best.
And when it's time for leavin'
Reiterates the concept of eventual departure.
I hope you'll understand
Expresses the hope for understanding during the departure.
That I was born a ramblin' man
Affirms the speaker's identity as a rambling man once again.
Lord, I was born a ramblin' man
Repetition for emphasis on the speaker's intrinsic nature as a rambling man.
Lord, I was born a ramblin' man
-Lord, I was born a ramblin' man
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