Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Rolling Home
Peter Paul & Mary Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Truth, with all it?s far out schemes
Let's time decide what it should mean
It?s not the time but just the dreams that die
And sometimes when the room is still

Time with so much truth to kill
Leaves you by the window sill so tied
Without a wing, to take you high
Without a clue to tell you why

Now, I just want to keep my name, not bother anybody?s game
Without ideas of gold or fame or insane heights
I don't want a lot of money, I don't want a Playboy bunny
Just a love to call me honey late at night
In my arms, by my side, in my arms late at night

But I don't know, I ain't been told
Ev?rybody wants a hand to hold
They're so afraid of being old
So scared of dying, so unknown
And so alone, rollin? home

Well, I see the ones who crawl like moles
Who for a front would trade their souls
A broken mirror?s the only hole for them
And for you who'd exchange yourselves

Just to be somebody else
Pretending things you never felt or meant
Hey, you don't live what you defend
You can't give so you just bend

Now if you care what people think
Like they supplied some missing link
They'll just stand back and watch you sink so slow
They'll never help you to decide

they'll only take you for a ride
After which they'll try and hide the fact that they don't know
What you should do, where you should go
What you should do, where you should go

But I don't know, I ain't been told
Everybody wants a hand to hold
They're so afraid of being old
So scared of dying, so unknown
And so alone, rollin? home

there's nothing big I want to prove
No mountains that I need to move
Or even claim what's right or true for you
My sights, my songs are slightly charred

You might think they miss their mark
But things are only what they are and nothing new
But for me, I think they'll do
But for me, I think they'll do

Well, I can see a king and queen, a beggar falling at my feet
They all must see the same sad dreams at night
Futility and senseless war, pit the rich against the poor
While cause is buried long before the fight
For what was wrong, for what was right
It?s just the strong, who ever says what's right

But I don't know, I ain't been told
Ev?rybody wants a hand to hold
They're so afraid of being old
So scared of dying, so unknown
And so alone, rollin? home

Overall Meaning

The song Rolling Home by Peter Paul & Mary explores the themes of time, truth, and self-identity. The lyrics suggest that truth is subjective and the interpretation of it can change over time. The singer acknowledges the brevity of life and how sometimes even our dreams can die. The second verse focuses on the singer's desire for simplicity in their life, just wanting to be loved and not consumed by the desire for wealth or fame. The following verse suggests that many people lack true self-awareness and instead spend their lives pretending to be someone else, hoping to be accepted by society. The final verse brings in issues of power and inequality, with the strong being the ones who dictate what is right or wrong. The overall message is a call for self-discovery and genuine connection with others, rather than being consumed by the fear of aging and the pursuit of power or acceptance.


Line by Line Meaning

Truth, with all it?s far out schemes
The concept of what is true can often seem elusive and abstract.


Let's time decide what it should mean
The ultimate meaning of truth may be something that is revealed over a long period of time.


It's not the time but just the dreams that die
It's not the passage of time that leads to disappointment, but rather the death of one's aspirations and goals.


And sometimes when the room is still
At times of calm, one can be more reflective and in touch with their own thoughts and feelings.


Time with so much truth to kill
As time continues on, it can often take away or disprove what we had previously believed to be true.


Leaves you by the window sill so tied
While contemplating such philosophical concepts, one can feel trapped and limited in their perspective.


Without a wing, to take you high
Without a means to transcend beyond limitations, one is trapped in their own thoughts and fears.


Without a clue to tell you why
Without a clear or definite answer, one may be left feeling lost or uncertain about the meaning of it all.


Now, I just want to keep my name, not bother anybody?s game
The artist wants to maintain their identity and not involve themselves in the manipulations and games of others.


Without ideas of gold or fame or insane heights
Rather than seeking riches, glory, or power, the artist is content with a simpler and more grounded life.


I don't want a lot of money, I don't want a Playboy bunny
The singer doesn't need material wealth or superficial relationships to be content with their life.


Just a love to call me honey late at night
The artist desires a close and intimate relationship with someone who loves and cherishes them.


But I don't know, I ain't been told
The singer is uncertain and seeks guidance from those who are more knowledgeable.


Everybody wants a hand to hold
Everyone desires support and companionship in their life.


They're so afraid of being old
The fear of aging is a common emotion among people.


So scared of dying, so unknown
The fear of death can be terrifying because it represents a great unknown.


And so alone, rolling home
Despite the desire for companionship, one can still feel alone and disconnected from others at times.


Well, I see the ones who crawl like moles
The singer sees those who are living life in a cramped and limited way.


Who for a front would trade their souls
Some people compromise their principles in order to save face or fit in with others.


A broken mirror's the only hole for them
Those without a clear sense of self or identity may be reflected as a shattered or distorted image.


And for you who'd exchange yourselves
For those who trade their values or true selves for the acceptance or approval of others.


Just to be somebody else
The desire to be someone else to fit in or be perceived differently by others.


Pretending things you never felt or meant
Faking emotions, actions, or beliefs in order to fit in with others.


Hey, you don't live what you defend
Those who don't practice what they preach or live up to their own ideals.


You can't give so you just bend
When one doesn't have a solid belief system or sense of self, they become swayed and influenced by the opinions of others.


Now if you care what people think
If one is too concerned with others' perceptions, they may lose sight of their own values and priorities.


Like they supplied some missing link
As if others hold the key to fill a void or complete a part of them.


They'll just stand back and watch you sink so slow
Instead of offering support or assistance, some people may be content to watch others fall or fail.


They'll never help you to decide
Others cannot make choices for you or tell you how to live your life.


They'll only take you for a ride
Some people will manipulate, exploit, or use others for their own benefit.


After which they'll try and hide the fact that they don't know
Those who deceive or exploit others may not always have clear intentions or agendas themselves.


What you should do, where you should go
The ultimate decision and path in life is up to the individual and their own values and experiences.


There's nothing big I want to prove
The artist doesn't feel the need to impress or win the accolades of others.


No mountains that I need to move
The artist doesn't have any major obstacles or challenges to overcome.


Or even claim what's right or true for you
The singer doesn't feel the need to assert their own opinions or beliefs onto others.


My sights, my songs are slightly charred
The artist's perspective and creative endeavors may be marked by darkness or cynicism.


You might think they miss their mark
Others may not understand or appreciate the singer's viewpoint or artistry.


But things are only what they are and nothing new
Ultimately, the reality of things cannot be anything other than what it is, regardless of our perceptions or beliefs.


But for me, I think they'll do
Despite others' opinions, the singer is content with their own perspective and creative endeavors.


Well, I can see a king and queen, a beggar falling at my feet
The artist sees people from all walks of life as equals who all face similar problems and struggles.


They all must see the same sad dreams at night
The pain and sadness of life is something that all people, regardless of status or wealth, must endure.


Futility and senseless war, pit the rich against the poor
The pointless and destructive nature of warfare often sets the powerful against the powerless.


While cause is buried long before the fight
The reasons for war often have little to do with the present conflict and go back much farther in history.


For what was wrong, for what was right
The morality behind war can be complex and subjective, making it difficult to determine a right or wrong side to be on.


It's just the strong, who ever says what's right
Regardless of morality or justice, it is often those with the most power who dictate what is considered right or wrong in a society.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Frederick Andersen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

More Versions