Southern Man
Eric Lee Beddingfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Eric Lee Beddingfield)
This old dirty city is a far cry from home
Even on this crowded subway I still feel alone
There's always a big brown crowd hanging in the sky
Lord, it makes the soul of a southern man wanna lay down and die
It's easy to lose yourself on these fast moving streets
It ain't hard for trouble to find you in a town that never sleeps
I guess it took being gone to finally make me understand
I'm tired of running from myself... tired of running where I come from
Sick of people trying to tell me who I am
Chorus: I'm going back down to dixie land
I'm headed home
I'm going back down to dixie land
I'm headed home... I'm a southern man
I've seen one too many busy neon signs
I'd rather see the stars on the water where the catfish used to bite
So I'll try and catch the next plane as fast as I can
And pray to God they got one more seat for this here southern man
Eric Lee Beddingfield's "Southern Man" is a reflection of his longing for his roots in the southern United States. The song's opening lyrics express the singer's discomfort with urban life in a "dirty" city that is overcrowded, leading to feelings of isolation. He contrasts this with the freedom of wide open spaces in the South, where life is more connected to nature and the stars.
Beddingfield portrays urban life as fast-paced and dangerous, emphasizing how easy it is to get lost in a city that never sleeps. He seems to be suggesting that to find one's true self in such an environment is a daunting task. Beddingfield also adds that being away from home has helped him understand himself better, and that he's tired of people trying to tell him who he is, which hints at the singer's struggle with identity.
The chorus's repetition of "I'm going back down to Dixie land" and "I'm headed home" reinforces the singer's desire to return to his roots - the southern way of life, which he feels is the true representation of his identity. The song ends with Beddingfield's prayer that he will be able to return home soon.
Overall, the song speaks to themes of identity, belonging, and the struggle to find oneself amidst the chaos of city life. Beddingfield juxtaposes the urban landscape with the rural South, highlighting the latter's sense of community, independence, and familial ties.
Line by Line Meaning
This old dirty city is a far cry from home
The city is not like home and is quite different from where he grew up.
Even on this crowded subway I still feel alone
He feels alone even when there are many people around him.
There's always a big brown crowd hanging in the sky
Referring to the smog in the city.
Lord, it makes the soul of a southern man wanna lay down and die.
The city makes him feel hopeless.
It's easy to lose yourself on these fast moving streets
It is easy to become overwhelmed on the busy city streets.
It ain't hard for trouble to find you in a town that never sleeps
It's easy to get into trouble in a city that is always active.
I guess it took being gone to finally make me understand
Ultimately, he had to leave home to truly understand himself.
I'm tired of running from myself... tired of running where I come from
He is tired of trying to escape from his past and where he came from.
Sick of people trying to tell me who I am
He is tired of other people trying to define him.
I'm going back down to dixie land
He is going back home to the South.
I'm headed home
His destination is his childhood home.
I'm going back down to dixie land
He is going back home to the South.
I'm headed home... I'm a southern man
He is proud to be from the South and identify as a Southern man.
I've seen one too many busy neon signs
He is tired of the flashing lights in the city.
I'd rather see the stars on the water where the catfish used to bite
He misses the simpler life he used to have and wants to experience it again.
So I'll try and catch the next plane as fast as I can
He is eager to get back home.
And pray to God they got one more seat for this here southern man
He is hopeful that there will be a seat available for him to go back home.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Eric Beddingfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind