Walking Far From Home
Iron & Wine(아이언 & 와인) Lyrics
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Where the names were not burned along the wall
Sour building high as heaven
But the door was so small, door was so small
I saw rainclouds, little babies
And a bridge that had tumbled to the ground
I saw sinners making music
I was walking far from home
But I carried your letters all the while
I saw lovers in a window
Whisper, "Warn me like time, warn me like time"
I saw sickness blooming fruit trees
I saw blood and a bit of it was mine
I saw children in a river
But their lips were still dry, lips were still dry
I was walking far from home
And I found your face mingled in the crowd
Saw a boat full of believers
Say, "I'm talking too loud, talking too loud"
I saw sunlight on the water
Saw a bird fall like a hammer from the sky
And a woman on a speed train
She was closing her eyes, closing her eyes
I saw flowers on a hillside
And a millionaire pissing on the lawn
Saw a prisoner take a pistol
And say, "Join me in song, join me in song"
Saw a car crash in the country
Where the prayers are like weeds along the road
I saw strangers stealing kisses
Giving only their clothes, only their clothes
Saw a white dog chase its tail
And a pair of hearts carved into a stone
I saw kindness and an angel
Crying, "Take me back home, take me back home"
Saw a highway, saw an ocean
I saw widows in the temple to the Lord
Naked dancers in the city
How they spoke for us all, spoke for us all
I saw loaded linen tables
And a motherless colt and it was gone
I saw hungry brothers waiting
With a radio on, radio on
I was walking far from home
Where the names are not burned along the wall
Saw a wet road form a circle
And it came like a call, came like a call
From the Lord
The song "Walking Far From Home," by Iron and Wine, is a poignant commentary on the human experience. The singer recounts a journey where they witness a series of events that make them feel both connected to and disconnected from the world around them. They see rain clouds and babies, sinners making music, sickness blooming fruit trees, and even a millionaire pissing on the lawn. Throughout this journey, the singer is carrying letters from someone who is not physically present, but their memory keeps them tethered to reality.
The song appears to be a meditation on the nature of human existence, the way that we are all connected and yet very much alone in our experiences. There is a sense of wonder at the beauty and pain the singer sees, mixed with a deep longing for something that they cannot quite name. This feeling is encapsulated in the line, "And I dreamt of that sound, dreamt of that sound." It seems as though the singer is searching for a sense of belonging, but it remains just out of reach.
However, there is also a spiritual aspect to the song. The final line, "From the Lord," suggests that there is some higher power at work in these experiences. It is unclear whether the singer believes in a specific religion or just feels that there is some force guiding them through life. In any case, the song leaves a powerful impression of the human experience, with all its beauty, pain, and mystery.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking far from home
Feeling lost and disconnected
Where the names were not burned along the wall
In a strange and unfamiliar place, where there is no memorial or recognition of the past
Sour building high as heaven
Feeling small and insignificant in the midst of a towering, imposing cityscape
But the door was so small, door was so small
Finding it difficult to enter and engage with the environment
I saw rainclouds, little babies
Noticing the beauty and innocence of the natural world
And a bridge that had tumbled to the ground
Seeing the destruction caused by time and neglect
I saw sinners making music
Recognizing the humanity and creativity of those who are often judged or condemned
And I dreamt of that sound, dreamt of that sound
Being inspired and moved by the power of art and expression
But I carried your letters all the while
Feeling comforted and connected to someone far away
I saw lovers in a window
Seeing the intimacy and vulnerability of romantic relationships
Whisper, "Warn me like time, warn me like time"
Feeling afraid of the inevitable changes and challenges that come with life
I saw sickness blooming fruit trees
Witnessing the pervasiveness of illness and suffering in the natural world
I saw blood and a bit of it was mine
Experiencing personal pain and injury
I saw children in a river
Witnessing the fragility and vulnerability of youth
But their lips were still dry, lips were still dry
Recognizing the harsh reality of limited resources and inequity
And I found your face mingled in the crowd
Feeling a sense of belonging and love amidst the chaos
Saw a boat full of believers
Witnessing the power of faith and community
Say, "I'm talking too loud, talking too loud"
Feeling misunderstood or criticized for one's beliefs or passion
Saw sunlight on the water
Experiencing the beauty and tranquility of nature
Saw a bird fall like a hammer from the sky
Witnessing the fragility and unpredictability of life
And a woman on a speed train
Seeing the fast-paced, hectic nature of modern life
She was closing her eyes, closing her eyes
Feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from the world
Saw flowers on a hillside
Appreciating the simple yet profound beauty of nature
And a millionaire pissing on the lawn
Witnessing the outrageous behavior and disregard for others that often comes with wealth and power
Saw a prisoner take a pistol
Recognizing the desperation and hopelessness that can lead to violence or crime
And say, "Join me in song, join me in song"
Finding solace and connection in shared experiences, even in the darkest of times
Saw a car crash in the country
Seeing the dangers and unpredictability of rural life
Where the prayers are like weeds along the road
Observing the pervasiveness of religious faith and ritual in rural communities
Saw strangers stealing kisses
Feeling the spontaneity and magic of human connection
Giving only their clothes, only their clothes
Recognizing the impermanence and fleeting nature of intimacy and passion
Saw a white dog chase its tail
Witnessing the simplicity and joy of animal behavior
And a pair of hearts carved into a stone
Seeing the timeless and enduring nature of love
I saw kindness and an angel
Experiencing the goodness and grace that exists in the world
Crying, "Take me back home, take me back home"
Longing for a sense of safety, comfort, and familiarity
Saw a highway, saw an ocean
Feeling the vastness and possibility of the world
I saw widows in the temple to the Lord
Recognizing the profound loss and grief that comes with death
Naked dancers in the city
Seeing the beauty and liberation of artistic expression and human sexuality
How they spoke for us all, spoke for us all
Feeling a sense of connection and unity through shared experiences and emotions
I saw loaded linen tables
Witnessing the excess and waste that often accompanies wealth and privilege
And a motherless colt and it was gone
Feeling the pain and grief of loss and separation
I saw hungry brothers waiting
Recognizing the pervasive poverty and hunger that exists in the world
With a radio on, radio on
Finding escape and comfort in music and media
I was walking far from home
Feeling lost and disconnected
Where the names are not burned along the wall
In a place where there is no recognition or commemoration of the past
Saw a wet road form a circle
Experiencing the cyclical and repetitive nature of life
And it came like a call, came like a call
Feeling a sense of longing and beckoning towards something greater
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMUEL ERVIN BEAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind