I'm a Lonesome Fugitive
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics


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Down every road there's always one more city
I'm on the run, the highway is my home

I raised a lot of cane back in my younger days
While Mama used to pray my crops would fail
I'm a hunted fugitive with just two ways:
Outrun the law or spend my life in jail
I'd like to settle down but they won't let me
A fugitive must be a rolling stone
Down every road there's always one more city
I'm on the run, the highway is my home

I'm lonely but I can't afford the luxury
Of having one I love to come along
She'd only slow me down and they'd catch up with me
For he who travels fastest goes alone

I'd like to settle down but they won't let me
A fugitive must be a rolling stone
Down every road there's always one more city
I'm on the run, the highway is my home





I'm on the run, the highway is my home

Overall Meaning

Jerry Lee Lewis's song "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" tells the story of a man who is constantly on the run, with the highway being his home. He has a past full of wild and reckless behavior, which has caused him to become a hunted fugitive. He is torn between wanting to settle down and live a normal life and the reality that he can't because the law won't let him. The man knows that the only way he can avoid being caught is to keep moving and never stay in one place for too long. He is lonely, but he can't afford the luxury of having someone to love because they would only slow him down.


The song reflects the theme of loneliness and isolation that is common in many country songs. It also touches on the idea of freedom and the sacrifices that must be made to obtain it. The singer of the song is a man who has made mistakes in the past but is trying to do the best he can in a difficult situation.


Line by Line Meaning

Down every road there's always one more city
No matter where I go, there's always another place to escape to.


I'm on the run, the highway is my home
I am constantly fleeing from the law, and the road is where I feel most comfortable.


I raised a lot of cane back in my younger days
I caused a lot of trouble and stirred up chaos in my youth.


While Mama used to pray my crops would fail
Even my own mother hoped for my failure and punishment for my misdeeds.


I'm a hunted fugitive with just two ways:
I only have two choices: evade capture from the authorities or spend my life in prison.


Outrun the law or spend my life in jail
I must either escape the law's grasp or face lifetime imprisonment.


I'd like to settle down but they won't let me
I wish to live a simple life, but the law won't allow me to do so without facing consequences.


A fugitive must be a rolling stone
As a fugitive, I am required to constantly move from place to place to avoid getting caught.


I'm lonely but I can't afford the luxury
I am alone, but I cannot risk having someone close to me because they could lead to my capture.


Of having one I love to come along
I wish I could have a companion to share my life with.


She'd only slow me down and they'd catch up with me
Having someone with me would only hinder my escape, and it could lead to my arrest.


For he who travels fastest goes alone
The fastest and most efficient way to escape is to do it alone, without any distractions or obstacles.


I'm on the run, the highway is my home
Even though I am constantly on the move, the road is the only place where I feel alive and free.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Casey Anderson, Liz Anderson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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