Born James Alan Hull in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne on 20th February1945, he became a member of the band The Chosen Few alongside keyboard player Mick Gallagher in 1962. He supported himself one year by working as a nurse at a mental hospital while appearing as a folk singer and guitarist in local clubs before helping to form Brethren and Downtown Faction, which evolved into Lindisfarne in 1970. He also released a one-off solo single, "We Can Swing Together", which was re-recorded with the group on their first album, Nicely Out of Tune, and became a regular favourite in their stage performances.
As the group's most prolific songwriter and joint lead vocalist, Hull came to be regarded as its leader. In 1972, dissatisfied with the sound and critical reception of their third album Dingly Dell, he considered leaving the group, but instead he and joint lead vocalist Ray "Jacka" Jackson formed a new six-piece Lindisfarne the following year, leaving the three other original members to form Jack the Lad. He also released a first solo album, Pipedream, in the same year, and published a book of poems, Mocking Horse.
Lindisfarne disbanded in 1975, and Hull released a second solo album, Squire, then formed the short-lived Radiator, which also included drummer Ray Laidlaw of Lindisfarne and Jack the Lad. At the end of 1977 the original line-up of Lindisfarne reformed after a well-received Christmas show at the Newcastle City Hall which was broadcast on local radio. Thereafter he combined his musical career as front man of the group with a solo career. He was also a staunch Labour Party activist.
In 1994, he recorded Back to Basics, a live all-acoustic survey of the best of his songwriting from 1970 onwards. On 17th November 1995 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties, Hull died suddenly of a heart thrombosis, at the age of fifty.
Run for Home
Alan Hull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've travelled the land, with a guitar in my hand
And an eye ever open for some fun.
I've made some mistakes, had my share of the breaks,
Seen the boys on the make, and on the bum.
Run for home, Run as fast as I can
Oh running man, running for home.
Run for home, Run as fast as I can
Oh running man, running for home.
I've seen all the frowns, on the faces of the clowns
And the downs that they take just to be free.
I've seen all the girls, in their pretty frocks and curls
But they don't mean a lot to me.
Chorus:
Run for home, Run as fast as I can
Oh running man, running for home.
I've been to the places in town where the faces
Hang round just to stare at each other.
I've looned with them screamed at the moon
Behaved like a buffon, but I soon discovered.
Chorus:
Run for home, Run as fast as I can
Oh running man, running for home.
Run for home, Run as fast as I can
Oh running man, running for home.
See above, plus a 3rd time, with vocals only, Break: F, C, G
I've travelled the land, made mistakes out of hand
Seen the faces in the places misunderstand.
I've been round the world, seen the pretty boys and girls
Heard the noise that destroys and commands.
Chorus:
Run for home, Run as fast as I can
Oh running man, running for home.
The song โRun for Homeโ by Alan Hull is a heartfelt reflection on a life spent travelling and experiencing the highs and lows that come with it. Hull sings about his travels with a guitar in hand and an eye ever open for some fun. He admits to making mistakes and having his share of breaks, all while witnessing the boys on the make and the bums.
The chorus is a plea to โrun for homeโ as fast as one can, with Hull singing as the running man. He has seen all the frowns on the faces of the clowns and the downs that they take just to be free. He has also seen all the girls in their pretty frocks and curls, but none of them mean a lot to him. Hull also reflects on the times that heโs been to the places in town where the faces hang around just to stare at each other, looned with them screamed at the moon, and behaved like a buffoon, but he soon discovered that none of it really mattered.
Overall, the song is a nostalgic reflection on a life lived with all its ups and downs. Itโs a reminder that even though the world may offer many different experiences and pleasures, thereโs no place like home.
Line by Line Meaning
I've travelled the land, with a guitar in my hand And an eye ever open for some fun.
I have explored various places while carrying my beloved guitar, always on the lookout for an interesting time.
I've made some mistakes, had my share of the breaks, Seen the boys on the make, and on the bum.
I have experienced both successes and failures, witnessed people trying to achieve success, and also witnessed people who have lost it all.
I've seen all the frowns, on the faces of the clowns And the downs that they take just to be free.
I have seen unhappy faces of people who act cheerful for others and the sacrifices they make just to attain a sense of freedom.
I've seen all the girls, in their pretty frocks and curls But they don't mean a lot to me.
I have seen many beautiful girls, but none of them have truly captured my heart and soul.
I've been to the places in town where the faces Hang round just to stare at each other.
I have visited areas where people mostly spend their time looking at each other without much activity or purpose.
I've looned with them screamed at the moon Behaved like a buffon, but I soon discovered.
I have acted foolishly with them, howled at the moon, and acted like a clown, but I eventually realized the error of my ways.
I've been round the world, seen the pretty boys and girls Heard the noise that destroys and commands.
I have traveled extensively, witnessed young and attractive individuals and the pervasive sounds of destruction and authority.
Run for home, Run as fast as I can Oh running man, running for home.
In spite of all my experiences, I am still actively trying to find my true home and running towards it with full speed.
Contributed by Michael S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sdne1959
@@MrHoefnix
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Here is the "Google Translation" of what "Bada A4 B6" said:
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One of the best songs in the world !!!! It's great that there is American soft music, the best. Music of the world !!!!
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@snafuproxy8064
back when times were a bit simpler and life was an adventure not a trial
@charlesanderson199
Big thumbs up to that comment ๐ Life was simpler and better then.
@toodletrike
love that comment snafu. so true
@jackienuttall7549
Oh yes unlike today
@tomthomassony8607
I am economically productive
I am economically productive
I am economically productive
I am economically productive..........
@jonlinin9682
Good grief, your remark hit me hard. I still have a 20 year old at home facing so many difficulties ahead. I was 17 when this song came out, earning, learning to drive, taking holidays with friends, confident of the future; what happened ?
@dionjamesraath2822
This beautiful song brings back very sad memories when I was only 10 years old. A close childhood friend of mine died while falling off a cliff close by his home. He and 2 other friends were on their way back home from a day trip out on hike and he forgot his lunch box back from where they came from. He headed back up to fetch it and on his way back to them he accidentally tripped and fell from a dizzy height from a cliff to his death. The other 2 friends 'ran for home' to get help but it was too late. He was such a lovely kind childhood friend and I still miss him today. This song was a hit on the radio at the time and when I hear those words '....run for home, run as fast as I can' I always think of him and his 2 friends running and what they must've thought and gone through at that moment especially. It was and remains such a tragic and terrible loss for everyone in his life. So very sad. We still miss you deeply Carl, you will never be forgotten. xxxx
@ianosborne188
๐๐ข๐
@Deborah1780
how tragic ๐ but for ever eternal little man Carl. your story will run forever entwined in this beautiful song . RIP Carl
forever. ๐
I never knew carl or this story till now , but I will forever think of that precious soul taken running for home
@MegaPaulywally
A terribly sad memory but poignant too