Lyrics
Once a peaceful man laid his old head down by a river,
The narrative begins with a serene image of an elderly man resting near a river.
Thought about his childhood life, his father and forgiver,
The man reflects on his past, contemplating his childhood, life experiences, and his relationship with his father, who he sees as a source of forgiveness.
Couldn't hide away, hide away
The man acknowledges that he cannot escape from something, possibly a realization or a responsibility.
He controlled the horses with a hand clap or a whisper,
Describes the man's ability to control horses effortlessly, symbolizing mastery or control in certain aspects of life.
Drink he couldn't combat but he knew he was no sinner,
Despite facing challenges with alcohol ("Drink he couldn't combat"), the man considers himself free from serious wrongdoing or sin.
Couldn't hide away, hide away
Reiterates that the man cannot completely avoid or escape from something.
He told all his sons of all the antics of adventure,
The man imparts tales of adventurous experiences to his sons, emphasizing the allure and excitement of life's ventures.
Then he told another one who drove himself to drink
However, he warns another individual against excessive drinking, advising them not to hide from life's challenges.
Not to hide away, hide away
Reiterates the advice not to withdraw or hide from life's experiences.
Better men have realized alone is not a venture,
Suggests that truly exceptional individuals understand that being alone is not a hindrance to embarking on ventures or meaningful experiences.
A decent man would realize alone is not a venture,
Contrasts the idea of being alone as a venture with the notion that a decent person recognizes the importance of shared experiences.
Just to hide away, hide away
Emphasizes the tendency to hide away or isolate oneself, which may not lead to a fulfilling or adventurous life.
He told all his sons of all the antics of adventure,
Repeats the earlier advice to the man's sons about the excitement and unpredictability of adventurous experiences.
Then he told another one who drove himself to drink
Reiterates the cautionary advice given to an individual struggling with alcohol, emphasizing the importance of facing life's challenges.
Not to hide away, hide away
Repeats the warning not to hide away or avoid life's difficulties.
Hide away, hide away
Repeats the idea of hiding away, possibly suggesting a recurring theme or the difficulty of overcoming the instinct to isolate oneself.
Hide away, hide away
Reiterates the concept of hiding away, emphasizing its significance in the context of the song.
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