Moments
Emerson Drive Lyrics

I was coming to the end of a long, long walk
I was on a journey that had lasted for a long time

When a man crawled out of a cardboard box
A homeless man appeared from a makeshift shelter

Under the E. Street Bridge
The encounter took place beneath a specific bridge

Followed me on to it
The man went with me as I walked across the bridge

I went out halfway across
I only made it halfway across the bridge

With that homeless shadow tagging along
The homeless man was following me closely

So I dug for some change
I searched for spare coins

Wouldn't need it anyway
I didn't really need the change for anything important

He took it lookin' just a bit ashamed
The homeless man accepted the change but seemed embarrassed to take it

He said, 'you know, I haven't always been this way.'
The homeless man shared that he had not always been in his current situation

I've had my moments, days in the sun
I have experienced times of great success and happiness

Moments I was second to none
There were moments when I truly excelled and stood out as exceptional

Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
I accomplished things that I previously thought were impossible

Like that plane ride coming home from the war
The memory of a plane ride home after a time served in warfare

That summer my son was born
The memory of the birth of a child during a summertime

And memories like a coat so warm
Certain memories are like a comforting, warm coat on a cold day

A cold wind can't get through
These memories are so strong that they cannot be easily forgotten or replaced

Lookin' at me now, you might not know it
From the outside, it may not seem like I have had these moments, especially in my current situation

But I've had my moments
Despite my current circumstances, I have experienced significant moments of success and happiness

I stood there tryin' to find my nerve
I was struggling to find my own courage or confidence

Wondering if a single soul on earth
I was questioning whether anyone in the world would care about me

Would care at all
I was doubting whether anyone would show compassion or interest in me

Miss me when I'm gone
I was contemplating whether my absence would make a difference to anyone

That old man just kept hanging around
The same homeless man I encountered before was still nearby

Lookin' at me, lookin' down
The homeless man was observing me closely and with a sense of disappointment

I think he recognized
I believe the homeless man understood the emotions I was feeling

That look in my eyes
He saw the fear and insecurity in my expression

Standing with him there, I felt ashamed
Being in the homeless man's presence made me feel embarrassed about my own struggles

I said, 'you know, I haven't always been this way.'
I shared with the homeless man that things have not always been difficult for me

Like the day I walked away from the wine
I recollected the significant moment when I chose to give up drinking

For a woman who became my wife
I reference the decision to stop drinking as an important action that led to meeting and marrying my spouse

And a love that, when it was right
My relationship with my wife has been one of the greatest loves I have experienced

Could always see me through
I have relied on my love for my wife during difficult times

I know somewhere 'round a trashcan fire tonight
I am aware that the homeless man is likely sharing his own experiences with others in a similar situation

That old man tells his story one more time
The homeless man is retelling his own experiences once again

When a young man almost ended it
I remember a specific time when I helped save someone from ending their own life

I was right there, wasn't scared a bit
Despite the intense moment, I was confident and not afraid

And I helped to pull him through
I played a part in helping the young man get through the difficult moment