Lyrics
They've got mountains out here you wouldn't believe
Expressing awe at the impressive landscapes in the current location.
People ask me all the time "why'd you ever leave?"
Addressing the common question of why the speaker left their home.
Well, I had to find my way
Indicating the necessity to find one's own path in life.
Do it on my own
Emphasizing the importance of independence and self-reliance.
Had to make it for myself
Highlighting the journey of creating a life independently.
Had to make a home
Stressing the effort to establish a personal sense of home.
20 hours away by train
Describing the considerable distance of 20 hours by train from home.
No one there remembers my name
Conveying a sense of anonymity in the new location.
You know I love it back home
Expressing love for the hometown despite the distance.
It's just not the same
Acknowledging the difference between the current place and home.
20 hours away by train
Reiterating the significant distance of 20 hours by train.
I've got friends from back in school
Mentioning friends from the past who still live in the hometown.
That still live around here
Highlighting the persistence of connections from school days.
And I know if I called right now
Expressing the possibility of reconnecting with old friends over a beer.
We could grab a beer
Imagining a casual reunion, but anticipating an unspoken issue.
But the elephant in the room
Referring to an unresolved and uncomfortable topic as the "elephant in the room."
Would start to cast shade
Suggesting that discussing the speaker's decision to leave would be uncomfortable.
They would have to ask me why
Anticipating the need for friends to question why the speaker didn't stay.
Why I never stayed
Exploring the reasons behind the speaker's departure.
20 hours away by train
Repeating the theme of being 20 hours away by train.
No one there remembers my name
Reiterating the feeling of being forgotten in the current location.
You know I love it back home
Affirming love for the hometown despite the challenges.
It's just not the same
Emphasizing the difference between the current place and home.
20 hours away by train
Continuing the repetition of 20 hours away by train.
As this train rolls east into the night
Reflecting on the journey as the train moves east into the night.
I'm left here to wonder if I've chosen right
Expressing doubt and contemplation about the choices made.
'Cause I know the same damn thing
Noting the universal concern that a similar situation may happen to the speaker.
One day could happen to me
Acknowledging the possibility of the speaker's child moving away in the future.
When my son moves away
Anticipating a scenario where the speaker's son starts his own family.
And has a family
Speculating on the potential challenges of maintaining connections with a distant family.
"Dad you know I'd love to visit
Quoting the hypothetical words of the future son about visiting.
But you know how it is
Explaining the son's busy life with a wife and kid as a reason for infrequent visits.
I've got so much on my plate
Highlighting the son's overwhelming responsibilities.
With a wife and a kid
Emphasizing the son's distance and the speaker's 20-hour train journey.
And you're 20 hours away by train
Expressing the desire for family connection despite the challenges.
And no one there remembers my name
Repeating the sentiment of being forgotten and distant.
You know I'd love to see you and mama
Expressing the yearning to see the speaker's parents despite the differences.
It's just not the same
Acknowledging the difficulty of replicating the same experience as before.
20 hours away by train
Concluding with the repetition of the theme of being 20 hours away by train.
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