Raymond And The Wires
Journey through Nostalgia: Robyn Hitchcock's Trolleybus Chronicles
Lyrics
My eyes have seen the trolleybus
Observation of a trolleybus by the speaker's eyes.
On her new matic tires
Noting the trolleybus's new matic tires.
Vamping down the high road
Describing the trolleybus moving down the high road.
Drinking from the wise
Reference to the trolleybus "drinking from the wise," metaphorical and open to interpretation.
My eyes have seen the trolleybus
Repetition of the observation of the trolleybus.
Her rivets and her wheels
Detailing the trolleybus's rivets and wheels.
Sinking electricity
Noting the trolleybus sinking electricity, possibly a metaphor for power consumption or inner energy.
I wonder how that feels
Expressing curiosity about how the trolleybus's experience feels.
I wonder
Reiteration of wondering.
My eyes have seen the trolleybus
Repetition of the observation of the trolleybus.
In 1964
Specific time reference (1964) for a trolleybus sighting.
I caught one with my father
Recollection of catching a trolleybus with the speaker's father in 1964.
We climbed through the backdoor
Describing entering the trolleybus through the backdoor.
We couldnt sit upstairs
Unable to sit upstairs due to the presence of the speaker's father's lover.
Because my father's lover is back
Explanation of the reason for not sitting upstairs.
He spoke to me behind the glass
Speaker's father spoke to the speaker behind the glass.
He was an lonesome dad
Describing the father's lover as a lonesome dad.
My eyes have seen the trolleybus
Repetition of the observation of the trolleybus.
The silent way she moves
Characterizing the trolleybus's movement as silent.
You missed the love you've never had
Expressing a sense of missed love or unfulfilled emotions.
The needle slips the grooves
Metaphor of a needle slipping the grooves, possibly indicating disruption or discord.
I ever knew my father close
Reflection on the speaker's closeness to their father.
Although I took him in
Despite closeness, the speaker took their father in, suggesting a complex relationship.
He travels 'round, a-signing off
Father's travels and signing off, hinting at departure or farewell.
Because everywhere I've been
Connection between the speaker's travels and the father's signing off.
I wonder
Reiteration of wondering.
I wonder
-My eyes have seen the trolley bus
Repetition of the observation of the trolleybus.
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