Justin Townes Earle, born January 4, 1982 in Nashville, TN, was an American alt-country singer-songwriter who walked the line between old-time country and modern acoustic Indie music by breathing new life into early country, blues and gospel forms.
His first release, Yuma, in 2007 was a stark and beautiful set of songs written while Earle was fresh out of rehab and is now re-released by Bloodshot Records, who have a further three albums on their catalogue.
The Good Life, Midnight At the Movies (Americana award nominee) and the latest Harlem River Blues show Earle's characteristic charm, wit and rhythm to the forefront.
2009 saw him touring with Old Crow Medicine Show, The Felice Brothers and Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings as a member of The Big Surprise tour and he has been touring solidly through 2010 making fans all along the way. In 2011, he received the Americana Music Award in the Song of the Year category for his "Harlem River Blues," from the album of the same name.
His fourth release "Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now", released in 2012 was met with critical acclaim, it was listed at #37 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 50 albums of 2012, saying "The son of country-rock renegade Steve Earle has grown into a songwriter to rival his dad."
Earle died on August 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 38. His death was announced by his label on social media on August 23. The cause of death was not immediately announced, but Nashville police said they were investigating the death as a probable drug overdose. On December 1, 2020, Earle's family confirmed that he died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl-laced cocaine.
Wanderin'
Justin Townes Earle Lyrics
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Know that if I keep on moving then I know that I'll be found
I'll climb high atop a mountain, call for he who holds the crown
But until that day, keep on wanderin'
Well now, in this world of wonders there are things a man must see
There are trials he must know and there are troubles he must meet
He must stare in the eyes of evil and know that he is free
Now, my father was a traveler and my mama stayed at home
And she cried the day that he walked out and left us on our own
But now I'm older than he was when I was born and I don't know
Which way is home so I'm wanderin'
Yes, oh lord, I've seen your oceans, I've seen your mountains high
I've been lost inside your cities, I've seen the underside
Yeah, I know the troubles that plague a troubled mind
But they can't catch me I'm a wanderin'
No they can't catch me I'm a wanderin'
No they can't catch me I'm a wanderin'
The song Wanderin' by Justin Townes Earle is a poignant reflection on the transient nature of human existence. The opening lines of the song - "Well I'm just a lonely traveler and I don't know where I'm bound / Know that if I keep on moving then I know that I'll be found" - signify the singer's sense of disorientation as he traverses the world. He is unsure where his journey is taking him and what his destination may be. However, he believes that as long as he keeps moving, he will eventually find a place where he belongs.
The singer further goes on to say that the world is full of wonders that a man must see and trials that he must face. He acknowledges that life is not always easy and that one has to confront evil and face one's fears to find true freedom. He draws inspiration from this idea and urges himself to keep wandering until the day comes when he finds his calling or meets his fate.
The last part of the song is a tribute to the singer's father, who was also a traveler. The singer remembers his mother crying the day his father left them and how he himself is now older than his father was when he was born. He muses on the meaning of home and wonders which way he should go. The song ends on a note of determination as the singer asserts that no matter what challenges he may face, he will keep wandering, forever seeking his place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm just a lonely traveler and I don't know where I'm bound
The singer is traveling without a specific destination, feeling lost and alone.
Know that if I keep on moving then I know that I'll be found
The singer believes that as long as he keeps traveling, he will eventually find his purpose or destination.
I'll climb high atop a mountain, call for he who holds the crown
The singer will seek guidance from a higher power in order to find his way.
But until that day, keep on wanderin'
In the meantime, the singer will continue to travel and explore, searching for answers.
Well now, in this world of wonders there are things a man must see
The world is full of amazing and important things that the singer feels he must witness before he can settle down.
There are trials he must know and there are troubles he must meet
The singer believes that he must face difficulties and learn from them in order to grow as a person.
He must stare in the eyes of evil and know that he is free
The singer must confront and overcome his fears and challenges in order to achieve true freedom.
'Til the good lord calls, keep on wanderin'
The singer will continue to travel and explore until his journey is complete and he receives a divine calling.
Now, my father was a traveler and my mama stayed at home
The singer's father was also a wanderer, but his mother remained in one place.
And she cried the day that he walked out and left us on our own
The singer's mother was upset when his father left the family to travel.
But now I'm older than he was when I was born and I don't know
Despite being older than his father was when he became a father, the singer still feels lost and unsure of where he should be.
Which way is home so I'm wanderin'
The singer is searching for a place to call home.
Yes, oh lord, I've seen your oceans, I've seen your mountains high
The singer has traveled far and wide, experiencing the beauty of nature.
I've been lost inside your cities, I've seen the underside
The singer has also encountered the darker and less desirable parts of cities during his travels.
Yeah, I know the troubles that plague a troubled mind
The singer is familiar with the struggles and internal conflicts that can arise from traveling and being uncertain about one's path.
But they can't catch me I'm a wanderin'
Despite these challenges, the singer remains determined and will continue to explore and discover.
No they can't catch me I'm a wanderin'
The singer feels free and untethered, able to roam and experience life on his terms.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Justin Townes Earle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind