abilene
Great Unknowns Lyrics
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Prettiest town I ever seen.
Folks down there don't treat you mean
In Abilene, my Abilene.
I sit alone most every night
Watch them trains roll out of sight
Wish that they were carryin' me
To Abilene, my Abilene.
Nothin' in this town for me
Wish to God that I could be
In Abilene, my Abilene.
How I wish that train would come
Take me back where I come from.
Take me where I want to be
In Abilene, my Abilene.
Rotgut whiskey numbs the brain
If I stay here I'll go insane.
Think I need a change of scene
To Abilene, my Abilene.
Outside my window cold rain falls,
Sit here starin' at the walls;
If I was home, I'd be serene
In Abilene, my Abilene.
The song Abilene by Great Unknowns is a simplistic yet poignant ode to the singer's desire to escape city life and return to a simpler, more welcoming community in Abilene. To the singer, Abilene is the "prettiest town" he's ever seen, and the people there are kind and hospitable, in contrast to the "crowded city" with "nothing in this town for me." He longs for the trains that he watches roll out of sight every night, wishing that they were carrying him back to Abilene, where he can be at peace.
The singer's desperation for escape is palpable in lines like "Think I need a change of scene" and "Rotgut whiskey numbs the brain." He feels trapped in his current situation, staring blankly at the walls and yearning for the familiarity and comfort of home. The repetition of "Abilene, my Abilene" at the end of each stanza almost serves as a mantra, emphasizing the singer's intense desire to return to the place where he feels he truly belongs.
Overall, Abilene is a beautifully simplistic yet moving song that speaks to the universal human desire for comfort and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
Abilene, Abilene
The singer is addressing the town of Abilene, which they long to be in.
Prettiest town I ever seen.
The singer admires the physical appearance of the town.
Folks down there don't treat you mean
The people in Abilene are friendly and kind.
In Abilene, my Abilene.
The singer emphasizes their longing to be in Abilene.
I sit alone most every night
The singer is lonely and spends their evenings alone.
Watch them trains roll out of sight
The singer often observes the passing trains and feels the desire to leave.
Wish that they were carryin' me
The singer wishes to be on one of the trains leaving town.
To Abilene, my Abilene.
The singer repeats their longing to be in Abilene.
Crowded city, ain't nothin' free
The singer is dissatisfied with their current city and feels trapped.
Nothin' in this town for me
The singer feels there is nothing left for them in their current city.
Wish to God that I could be
The singer expresses their desire to leave and go to Abilene.
In Abilene, my Abilene.
Once again, the singer stresses their longing for Abilene.
How I wish that train would come
The singer wishes for the arrival of a train to take them away.
Take me back where I come from.
The singer wants to return to their hometown.
Take me where I want to be
The singer wants to go to Abilene, where they feel they belong.
In Abilene, my Abilene.
The singer continuously mentions their desire for Abilene.
Rotgut whiskey numbs the brain
The singer drinks whiskey as a means of escaping the boredom and monotony of their current city.
If I stay here I'll go insane.
The singer feels that they will lose their mind if they continue to stay in their current city.
Think I need a change of scene
The singer recognizes that they need a change in their life.
To Abilene, my Abilene.
The singer reiterates that Abilene is where they want to be.
Outside my window cold rain falls,
The singer is watching the rain fall from their window.
Sit here starin' at the walls;
The singer is bored and feels trapped in their current situation.
If I was home, I'd be serene
The singer believes that if they were in Abilene, they would be at peace and happy.
In Abilene, my Abilene.
The singer repeats their longing for Abilene one final time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETE DRAKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind