I Knew a Man
Resilience Unveiled: A Journey Through Life's Depths
Lyrics
I knew a boy, dreaming he was ten feet tall
The speaker recalls a boy who had grand dreams and aspirations.
lost on a one-way trip
The boy is on a journey with no turning back.
bobbing and weaving in the thick of it all
He navigates through challenges and complexities.
down on that Sunset Strip
Specifically, he faces struggles on the Sunset Strip, a famous area in Los Angeles associated with the music and entertainment industry.
Buddy Miles was still Hollywood swinging
Buddy Miles, a musician, is referenced, indicating a time in the past.
and the Rainbow still glittered like gold
References iconic places like the Rainbow, suggesting a vibrant and glamorous atmosphere.
and the last flower child was still singing somewhere
The era of flower children is ending, with a hint at the desire to die young rather than grow old.
hopes he dies before he gets old
Reflecting on the transience of youth and the counterculture.
I knew a man who was drowning
The speaker transitions to a man struggling and feeling overwhelmed, possibly in a metaphorical sea of difficulties.
and lost at sea
The man is directionless and adrift.
had chains wrapped around him
Symbolic chains are pulling him down, representing burdens or obstacles.
pulling him down to the deep
He is sinking into deep troubles.
it took the hand of a good woman
A good woman's influence becomes crucial for his liberation.
to set that man free
Expressing gratitude to the woman for helping him break free.
thank you baby
A direct acknowledgment and thanks to the woman.
cause that man was me
Revealing that the drowning man is the speaker himself.
and the boy, he got older
Shifting back to the boy, highlighting the passage of time.
like most of us did
A general observation about aging.
but some of us fell by the side
Some individuals face challenges and hardships in life.
battered old soldiers actin' like kids
Older individuals may still exhibit childlike behaviors.
hangin' on, a hell of a ride
Describing the enduring struggles of certain individuals.
and the party's still goin' on somewhere
Indicating that celebrations and challenges persist in different places.
the candle still burns from both ends
An image of life's intensity, with the candle metaphor.
but the boy he got lucky when he came up for air
The boy, now a man, finds luck when he surfaces from life's difficulties.
reaching out, he grabbed a hand
Reaching out for help, the man grabs a supportive hand.
I knew a man who was drowning
A repetition of the man drowning, emphasizing the recurring struggles.
and was lost at sea
Reiterating the feeling of being lost and overwhelmed.
had chains wrapped around him
The chains symbolize persistent challenges pulling him down.
pulling him down to the deep
Continuing to express the depth of the man's difficulties.
it took the hand of a good woman
Highlighting the importance of a woman's influence in freeing the man.
to set that man free
Gratitude is expressed once again for the woman's role in liberation.
thank you baby
A repeated thank you to the woman, emphasizing her significance.
cause that man was me
Confirming that the speaker is the man who was drowning.
thank you baby
A final expression of gratitude to the woman for her crucial role.
cause that man was me
Repeating thanks to the woman and reinforcing the speaker's identity.
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