The Drifter
Long John Baldry Lyrics

I'm just a drifter
I am a wanderer without any permanent residence or employment.

I go from place to place
I travel from one area or city to another.

Nobody knows my face
I am unrecognizable or unknown to most people.

And when I go into a town
Whenever I arrive in a new place.

The people there they try and put me down
The locals exude hostility or discrimination towards me.

They say hey drifter
They address or mock me with the term 'drifter'.

We don't want your kind around
They express a dislike or prejudice for people like me.

So I go my way
I continue on my journey without staying or engaging with them.

Back to the highway
I return to the open road and the uncertainty of the future.

Out in this world alone
I am completely solitary and have no companionship.

No place to call my home
I lack a stable and secure base to reside or belong.

I see lovers pass me by
I observe couples crossing my path.

I watch them all with a tear in my eye
I emotionally react to their intimacy with sorrow or envy.

I can't help feelin' how lucky they are
I acknowledge their fortune and blessings with admiration or resentment.

Laughin' and talkin' as they go walkin'
They are joyously conversing and strolling while I am alone.

And then at night
During the evening hours.

Stars are so bright
The night sky is illuminated with twinkling celestial bodies.

I see your face before me
I recollect the image of someone significant from my past.

It brings back the memory
This evokes a reminiscence or recollection.

Of days gone by
Of a time in the past that is no more.

Of a you and I
Of the relationship between the artist and the aforementioned significant person.

And then I cry
I shed tears due to emotional grief or pain.

Woe how I cry
I cry with intense sorrow, anguish or grief.

But I wasn't always down
I have experienced better times or success in the past.

Cause once I had a love by my side
The reason why I had happier times previously was due to the presence of my significant other.

A love so strong that money couldn't buy
The love shared was invaluable and could not be measured in material wealth.

But heaven called and took her away
My significant other has passed away and is now in heaven.

Out of my arms and led me to wander
Her death has caused me to lose my sense of direction, or the will to stay in one place.

I'm just a drifter
I remain without permanent residence or direction in my life.

I go from town to town
I move from one local area to another.