Melissa
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics

Crossroads, seem to come and go, yeah.
Life is full of choices that come and go - sometimes the path ahead is clear but sometimes we stand at crossroads, unsure of where to go next.

The gypsy flies from coast to coast,
The singer compares himself to a wandering gypsy without any concrete home or direction in life.

Knowing many, loving none,
The singer has met many people and experienced many things, but has not formed any meaningful connections or romantic relationships.

Bearing sorrow, having fun.
Despite the ups and downs of a nomadic life, the artist is resilient and finds joy in the journey.

But, back home he'll always run,
However, deep down, the artist knows that they will always long for a place to call home.

To sweet Melissa.
That home is represented by a woman named Melissa - a beacon of stability and love in the singer's life.

Freight train, each car looks the same, all the same.
The singer compares their life to a train rolling down tracks, with experiences and memories blurring together until everything starts to look the same.

And no one knows the gypsy's name,
Despite being a wandering spirit, the artist feels anonymous and unknown to others.

And no one hears his lonely sighs,
The artist's wanderings have made them feel isolated and alone, with no one to share their thoughts and feelings with.

There are no blankets where he lies.
The artist's life is transient, with no possessions or comforts to call their own.

Lord, in his deepest dreams the gypsy flies,
Despite the hardships of their life, the singer dreams of freedom and adventure that can only be found on the open road.

With sweet Melissa.
But even in their dreams, their thoughts are never far from Melissa and the idea of a settled, stable home.

Again, the mornin's come.
The singer faces another day, unsure of what it will bring but ready to face it nonetheless.

Again, he's on the run.
The singer continues their nomadic lifestyle, always restless and seeking something more.

A sunbeam's shinin through his hair.
Despite the uncertainty of the singer's life, there are moments of beauty and wonder - like the sun shining through their hair.

Fear not to have a care.
The artist encourages themselves to embrace the unknown and not be afraid of whatever the future holds.

Well, pick up your gear and gypsy roll on.
The artist exhorts themselves to keep moving forward, packing up their belongings and hitting the road once more.

Roll on.
No matter what happens, the only thing to do is to keep rolling on through life.

Crossroads, will you ever let him go? Lord, Lord.
The singer wonders if they will ever be able to break free from their wanderlust and find a permanent home.

Or will you hide the dead man's ghost?
The artist fears that they will become stuck in their wandering ways, with no chance for a stable life or lasting legacy.

Or will he lie, beneath the clay?
The artist fears that they will die without ever finding a sense of home or purpose in life.

Or will his spirit float away?
However, the artist also entertains the possibility of finding some kind of spiritual release, free from the constraints of earthly life.

But, I know that he won't stay,
Despite all these fears and uncertainties, the singer knows deep down that they cannot stay on the move forever.

Without Melissa.
Ultimately, the artist knows that they will need to find someone to share their life with and a place to call home.

Yes, I know that he won't stay, yeah,
The singer reiterates their understanding that their restlessness can't go on indefinitely.

Without Melissa.
Without Melissa, the singer would be lost and unable to feel truly at home anywhere.

Lord, Lord, it's all the same.
Despite all the differences and changes in life, the basic human desire for stability and love remains constant, as represented by Melissa.

Mmmmm-hmmmmm.
These repeated sounds convey a sense of longing and a lingering sense of incompletion that the artist feels.