Bamboo Road
Journey of Dreams: Willy DeVille's Bamboo Road Revelations
Lyrics
I wake up in the morning
I begin my day in the morning.
And I'll work 'till night
I work tirelessly until night.
My skin has turned brown
My skin has become tan from prolonged exposure to the bright sun.
From that sun so bright
Reference to the intense sunlight that contributes to the tan.
All night I'm tossing and turning
I experience restless nights due to powerful and compelling dreams.
'Cause my dreams are so strong
The dreams are strong and impactful, causing emotional turmoil.
And my hands they callous
My hands develop calluses from extended and arduous work.
'Cause my working day's too long
Long working hours contribute to the physical toll on the hands.
Up on Bamboo Road
Introduction to the Bamboo Road setting.
Up on Bamboo Road
Repetition emphasizing the significance of Bamboo Road.
Yes you're sweeter than a sugar cane
Comparing someone's sweetness to sugar cane, expressing admiration.
Up on Bamboo Road
Reiteration of the admiration, emphasizing sweetness.
We walk out to the cane fields
Description of a group walking to the cane fields.
All thirty-five men
Indication of a workforce, specifically thirty-five men.
At 12 o'clock they give us water
Break time at noon with a mention of receiving water.
And we stagger back again
Returning to work after the break.
4 o'clock the sun gets higher
As the day progresses, the sun becomes more intense.
I hear that screen door slam
Audible indication of a door closing as the narrator works.
See you in the big house kitchen window
Observation of a person in a kitchen window, possibly a loved one.
From the cane fields I'm in
Viewing the kitchen window from the cane fields.
Up on Bamboo Road
Repetition of Bamboo Road as a significant place.
Up on Bamboo Road
Emphasis on the importance of Bamboo Road.
Yes you're sweeter than a sugar cane
Comparing someone's sweetness to sugar cane, reinforcing admiration.
Sweeter than that sugar cane
Reiteration of the person's sweetness, emphasizing its intensity.
Sweeter than sugar cane
Further emphasis on the person's sweetness compared to sugar cane.
Up on Bamboo Road
Repetition of the importance of Bamboo Road.
I want to hold you close cher
Expressing a desire to hold someone dear.
I can only see you when I can
Limited ability to see the person due to work constraints.
All day I cut that pure cane sugar
Despite working hard, the narrator feels unfulfilled or hungry.
But I'm still a starving man
Describing the physical labor of cutting pure cane sugar.
Up on Bamboo Road
Reiteration of Bamboo Road and its significance.
Up on Bamboo Road
Emphasizing the importance of Bamboo Road once again.
Yes you're sweeter than a sugar cane
Comparing someone's sweetness to sugar cane, reinforcing admiration.
Sweeter than the sugar cane
Reiteration of the person's sweetness, emphasizing its intensity.
Sweeter than the sugar cane
Further emphasis on the person's sweetness compared to sugar cane.
Up on Bamboo Road
Final repetition of the significance of Bamboo Road.
Comment