Lyrics
Hey mama it's a long long way
Expressing the distance and challenges ahead in a journey.
To your borderland home
Referring to the destination as a metaphorical "borderland home."
Where the butterflies play all day
Highlighting a picturesque scene where butterflies play all day.
Yeah it's a long long way
Reiterating the long distance of the journey.
And I'm awful hungry
Expressing hunger, possibly metaphorical or literal.
You know I could almost eat my words
Feeling regretful or remorseful, willing to take back spoken words.
I said I'd give up my vacation
Expressing a commitment to sacrifice a vacation for a loved one.
To take you right across the nation
Proposing a journey across the nation with the loved one.
And your mother thinks I'm crazy too
Noting that the partner's mother disapproves or sees the speaker as crazy.
I'll tell you what I think we should do
Suggesting a solution or course of action.
Why don't we pull in at The Halfway Hotel
Proposing to stop at "The Halfway Hotel" as a rest point.
I long for service at the ring of a bell
Desiring service and comfort symbolized by the ringing of a bell.
And we could sleep in late
Suggesting a leisurely pace, delaying responsibilities.
Yeah your mummy and your daddy can wait
Emphasizing the idea that parents can wait; prioritizing the relationship.
And if we pull in at The Halfway Hotel
Reinforcing the idea of stopping at "The Halfway Hotel."
Why they're so discreet and I know only too well
Highlighting the discretion and privacy at the halfway point.
You won't get home again
Acknowledging that it's not home, but one is welcome to stay.
No it ain't home but you'll be welcome to stay
Emphasizing the welcoming nature despite not being home.
You'd be amazed to see the people who you thought so swell
Surprise at seeing unexpected people enjoying life.
Tipping back the Mosel
Describing people enjoying wine (Mosel) at the halfway point.
And life ain't so hard on a credit card
Reflecting on a more carefree and normal life with the use of a credit card.
It's almost normal
Emphasizing the relative normalcy at "The Halfway Hotel."
At The Halfway Hotel
Repeating the name of the halfway point in the chorus.
Hey mama can you feel the heat
Addressing the partner, feeling the heat in the surroundings.
My radiator's all dry
Noticing a dry radiator and a sense of being alone in a challenging situation.
And we're the only fools left in this street
Feeling like the only remaining adventurous or daring individuals.
Well sure I think you're sweet
Expressing affection towards the partner.
But I ain't no hero you know you been
Rejecting the label of a hero and clarifying the partner's influence.
Mixing me up with those men in that slush
Referencing confusion or conflation with other men in the partner's mind.
You fill your mind with all that comic book stuff
Criticizing the partner's preoccupation with unrealistic fantasies.
And it's your imagination
Attributing the partner's concerns to imagination and psychological tricks.
Playing little tricks on you
Acknowledging understanding of the situation despite the partner's fantasies.
But at least I think I know what to do
Asserting confidence in knowing how to handle the situation.
(Rpt Chorus)
Repetition of the chorus, reinforcing the idea of staying at "The Halfway Hotel."
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