Broken
Lee Alexander/Norah Jones Lyrics
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Guess he's been that way now for quite awhile
He's got blood on his shoes and mud on his brim
Did he do it to himself or was it done to him?
Now people say that he don't look well
But all he needs from what I can tell
Is someone to help wash away all the paint
I saw him stand alone under a broken street light
So sincere, singing silent night
But the trees, they were full and the grass was green
It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen
He may move slow
But that don't mean he's going nowhere
He may be moving slow
But that don't mean he's going nowhere
The lyrics of Lee Alexander and Norah Jones's song, "Broken," are haunting and enigmatic. The opening lines describe a man with a "broken voice and a twisted smile" who has been that way for some time. He has blood on his shoes and mud on his brim, though it is unclear whether he inflicted this upon himself or whether it was done to him. The second stanza suggests that people around him recognize that he is unwell, but that he only needs someone to help wash away the "paint" from his hands before it's too late.
The final stanza is perhaps the most poignant, describing the singer's encounter with this man standing alone under a broken street light. He is singing "Silent Night" with such sincerity that it is the sweetest thing she has ever seen, despite the contrast with the lush green trees and grass around them. The repeated refrain, "He may move slow, but that don't mean he's going nowhere," suggests that the man's outward appearance belies his inner strength and resilience.
One interpretation of the song is that it is about mental illness and the stigma and isolation that often come with it. The man with the broken voice and twisted smile may represent someone struggling with a mental health issue, who is misunderstood or feared by those around him. The need for someone to help him wash away the "paint" from his hands could be a metaphor for the need for support and understanding in dealing with mental health challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
He's got a broken voice and a twisted smile
His voice is hoarse, and his facial expression appears warped, indicating that he has been through some rough times.
Guess he's been that way now for quite awhile
It is likely that he has been living with his afflictions for a considerable length of time.
He's got blood on his shoes and mud on his brim
He may have either inflicted harm upon himself or gone through a nasty altercation with someone else.
Did he do it to himself or was it done to him?
There is confusion around what could have led him into such a situation if he is solely responsible for it or if someone else caused it.
Now people say that he don't look well
People around him perceive that he is not well and requires some attention.
But all he needs from what I can tell
It seems like he needs someone to pay attention to him and show some empathy.
Is someone to help wash away all the paint
He needs someone to support him in getting rid of his issues.
From his purple hands before it gets too late
It's important to take action before the situation worsens.
I saw him stand alone under a broken street light
He was standing by himself under the dim light of an out-of-order street lamp.
So sincere, singing silent night
He was genuinely expressing himself through music without any inhibitions.
But the trees, they were full and the grass was green
Nature was flourishing around him, giving the impression that despite everything around him, there is still hope for a better future.
It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen
The sight of seeing him embracing himself and his surroundings in such an authentic and pure manner was truly heartwarming.
He may move slow
He might not be making quick progress in life.
But that don't mean he's going nowhere
It's important to acknowledge that while his progress may be slow, he is still making some and not stuck in the same place.
He may be moving slow
It's important to recognize that his pace of progress may be slow.
But that don't mean he's going nowhere
Again, let's remember that this does not imply that he is not making any progress, but rather it is occurring slowly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lee Alexander, Norah Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind