Perhaps one of The Wallflower’s more famous songs, the son of Bob Dylan so the lyrics well as always you have to read between the lines, let the imagery take you where your soul wants to go. For me this song is about walking along our own path’s not looking up and seeing that other’s have heartache to, not seeing the man on the street, just like you or I. My other take on this song is the fact that often we do not really notice other’s in pain, we do not help them or know how to help them till it’s too late, which is sad to me.
Perhaps you will come to a different conclusion, as I have said before, music speaks to one’s soul in different ways.
Sirens ring, the shots ring out
A stranger cries, screams out loud
I had my world strapped against my back
I held my hands, never knew how to act
Chorus:
And the same black line that was drawn on you
Was drawn on me
And now it’s drawin’ me in
6th Avenue heartache
Below me was a homeless man
I’m singin’ songs I knew complete
On the steps alone, his guitar in hand
It’s fifty years, stood where he stands
Now walkin’ home on those streets
The river winds move my feet
Subway steam, like silhouettes in dreams
They stood by me, just like moonbeams
Look out the window, down upon that street
And gone like a midnight was that man
But I see his six strings laid against that wall
And all his things, they all look so small
I got my fingers crossed on a shooting star
Just like me-just moved on
I think you name the context of the song well; at times, we are so caught up in the nature of our own world, that we neglect to see what others are going through. Or we see it without WANTING to see it; we look right through them so we don’t have to deal with it. I have done that in the past, because to see the ills of the world made me feel uncomfortable; I challenge myself more to stare the hardships of others in the face, so that I can at least give those people a genuine smile, even if I can do nothing else to put a hand out…… Thanks for this! V.
V What you say is true, I think another reason is guilt, guilt because you are ok and they are not or for the fact that perhaps we think we have enough of our own problems that we can’t deal with anyone elses… human nature and survival instinct.
When we give that genuine smile or when we put the hand out we get back, if we’re going through a rough time its those moments that can pull you through… constant give and take.
Glad you liked it 🙂 Jacob sounds so different to his father Bob 😀
He does sound different, yet the same in a younger, sweeter sort of way……
I had a friend who is struggling badly who reached out to me today, and I gave him what he needed; it is a testament to why it is okay to see what the pains of the world are, so we know when it is time to reach out.
I feel that my evolution process seems to speed up as I age, and some days I learn at such a rate it seems hard to keep up!!! Vanessa
lol yeah it is the same for me, I hope that it never stops! I like the way you put it – a testament to why it is okay to see what the pains of the world are, so we know when it is time to reach out… to also know yourself and know what you can give of yourself as well
Re Jacob and Bob – Bob can’t stand the fact that he decided to sing, tried to bring him down many times but Jacob went on regardless, think there is a lesson in there somewhere for me 🙂