Be Kind To The Boy On The Road
Billy Bragg & Wilco Lyrics


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Who is that boy on the white winding highway?
Why does he roam alone?
Is he looking for life on that white winding highway?
For his parents dealt him trouble at home

You might think he's wrong standing there on that highway
O' what a foolish young lad!
But you yourself might be standing on that highway
If you'd had his troubles on your hands

Don't point your finger at that boy on the highway
As you travel down this road
Either give him your help or pass him with kindness
'Cause he's got all the trouble that he wants

Your policeman discourages that boy on the highway
It's heard everywhere that he goes
But the best way to help that boy on the highway
Is to fix all your troubles there at home

I've heard it said 'bout rolling stone boys
They gather no moss in their life?
I'll tell you the bee that gets the honey
Ain't the bee that hands around the hive

Oh be kind to that boy on that white winding highway
As you travel on there alone




Remember the men that wrote your Bible
Are the men who gave up their homes

Overall Meaning

The song, "Be Kind to the Boy on the Road" by Billy Bragg and Wilco, tells the story of a boy who is alone and wandering along the white winding highway. The song questions who the boy is and why he is on the road all by himself. The song provides the answer that the boy's parents may have dealt with him some trouble at home. The song then goes on to urge the listener to not judge the boy, as they themselves may have been in his shoes if they had his troubles in their hands. The song provides the message that the best way to help the boy is by fixing one's own troubles, rather than pointing fingers or discouraging him.


Overall, the song highlights the idea of kindness and compassion towards those in need. The boy on the road represents those who are struggling and need help. The song urges listeners to not only be compassionate towards the boy, but to apply that same compassion towards those in their own lives who might be struggling.


Line by Line Meaning

Who is that boy on the white winding highway?
Who is that young man wandering on the empty road?


Why does he roam alone?
What caused him to wander independently?


Is he looking for life on that white winding highway?
Is he hoping to find a better existence on this deserted route?


For his parents dealt him trouble at home
Because his family gave him distress at home.


You might think he's wrong standing there on that highway
You may believe he's mistaken standing alone on that deserted route.


O' what a foolish young lad!
What a naive young man!


But you yourself might be standing on that highway
However, you, too, could be on that road.


If you'd had his troubles on your hands
If you had his problems to deal with.


Don't point your finger at that boy on the highway
Don't blame the boy for his situation.


As you travel down this road
While you travel on your journey.


Either give him your help or pass him with kindness
Either assist him or treat him kindly as you go by.


'Cause he's got all the trouble that he wants
Because he has enough difficulties on his hands already.


Your policeman discourages that boy on the highway
Your law enforcement officers prevent that boy from continuing on the road.


It's heard everywhere that he goes
This information is known wherever he travels.


But the best way to help that boy on the highway
But the most effective way to assist that young man on the road.


Is to fix all your troubles there at home
Is to repair all of your issues at home.


I've heard it said 'bout rolling stone boys
I've heard that young men who move around frequently are known to be restless.


They gather no moss in their life?
Do they never settle down?


I'll tell you the bee that gets the honey
I'll explain to you the bee that receives the nectar.


Ain't the bee that hands around the hive
Isn't the bee that stays inside the hive.


Oh be kind to that boy on that white winding highway
Oh, treat that boy with compassion on that empty, winding road.


As you travel on there alone
As you continue on your journey alone.


Remember the men that wrote your Bible
Recall the individuals who composed your religious text.


Are the men who gave up their homes
Are the people who resigned from their houses.




Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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