Roy Walker
Belle and Sebastian Lyrics


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Like a fresh manifestation of an old phenomenon
A breeze whips through the trees
The rustling leaves and branches bend together they're cued to sway
Forever by the forces of the Lord's choreography

Just for a second the combination of sights, sounds around him
Sends him hurtling back to the mirror of all his teenager thoughts and fears
He passes big houses and family cars they saddled the horses in cobblestone yards
He catches the moon looking down from the stars
Just like it's done for years and years

Perpetual feeling in the grown up world that's all around him
That there's secrets that could be revealed with knowledge and philosophy
And "Oh to be dumb, Oh to be smart"
He might be nursing a broken heart
But feeling this way he's just playing a part
That's been around for centuries





I wandered all night, I wondered all night about you
I've been here for years just wandering around the neighbourhood

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Belle and Sebastian's song "Roy Walker" convey a sense of nostalgia and contemplation. The opening lines liken the experience to a "fresh manifestation of an old phenomenon" - something new and yet familiar at the same time. The natural world is a key element in the imagery, with the breeze whipping through the trees and the leaves rustling and swaying to the choreography of a divine force.


The singer of the song is deeply reflective, contemplating the mysteries of the adult world around him and yearning for a simpler time when he could be either "dumb" or "smart". His musings are interrupted by fleeting memories of his teenage years - the big houses, family cars, and horses in cobblestone yards that he used to pass by. The chorus seems to express a sense of futility and aimlessness, as the singer walks around the neighborhood with no clear destination or purpose.


Overall, "Roy Walker" is a song that captures the bittersweet feeling of longing for a time and place that is no longer within reach. The wistful tone of the lyrics is complemented by the gentle melody and instrumentation, creating a sense of dreamy melancholy.


Line by Line Meaning

Like a fresh manifestation of an old phenomenon
A new experience that reminds you of something you've felt before


A breeze whips through the trees
The wind moves the leaves and branches of the trees


The rustling leaves and branches bend together they're cued to sway
The leaves and branches move together as if they were dancing


Forever by the forces of the Lord's choreography
The movement of nature is controlled by a higher power


Just for a second the combination of sights, sounds around him
For a moment, everything he sees and hears reminds him of his past


Sends him hurtling back to the mirror of all his teenager thoughts and fears
Reminds him of how he used to feel when he was a teenager


He passes big houses and family cars they saddled the horses in cobblestone yards
He walks past wealthy homes with horse stables in the cobblestone yards


He catches the moon looking down from the stars
He sees the moon shining in the night sky


Just like it's done for years and years
The moon has looked the same for centuries


Perpetual feeling in the grown up world that's all around him
The feeling of secrets and mysteries exists in the adult world he lives in


That there's secrets that could be revealed with knowledge and philosophy
There are hidden truths that could be discovered through learning and wisdom


And "Oh to be dumb, Oh to be smart"
He wishes he could be free of the burden of knowledge and the desire for it


He might be nursing a broken heart
He may be dealing with emotional pain


But feeling this way he's just playing a part
He's pretending to be a certain way to fit in with society's expectations


That's been around for centuries
The pressure to conform to society's expectations has existed for a long time


I wandered all night, I wondered all night about you
He walked and thought about someone all night


I've been here for years just wandering around the neighbourhood
He's been living and walking aimlessly in his neighborhood for years




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB KILDEA, CHRISTOPHER GEDDES, MICHAEL COOKE, RICHARD COLBURN, ROY MOLLER, SARAH MARTIN, STEPHEN JACKSON, STUART MURDOCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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