Just the Same
Mark Heard Lyrics


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When the phone rang Sunday night
I was surprised to hear your voice
And a hundred miles of wire
Brought in your thoughts, and I rejoiced
And then we said good-bye
And I hung up the telephone
It seemed like you were here
But in an instant you were gone
And I don't know what you're doing
And the distance is to blame
Though I ain't in Mississippi
Still I miss you just the same

Well you know you're just as real when you're here
When you're away
But it sure is hard to realize
Though I try the live-long day
If I forget your face
When space and time make you a dream

How real the Lord must be
Though he remains unseen

And I don't know what you're doing
And the distance is to blame




Though I ain't in Mississippi
Still I miss you just the same

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mark Heard's song, "Just the Same," are filled with emotion and longing for someone who is at a distance. The opening verse talks about receiving a surprise phone call from the person in question and being overjoyed to hear their voice, despite the physical distance between them. The mention of the "hundred miles of wire" shows just how far away they are from one another. The goodbye is bittersweet, with the singer feeling as though the person was almost there with them, but then gone in an instant. The chorus repeats the sentiment that, despite the distance between them, the singer still misses this person just as much as if they were in Mississippi, emphasizing the power of their connection.


The second verse is where Heard delves deeper into the theme of distance and separation, using it as a metaphor for his relationship with God. The line "You know you're just as real when you're here/When you're away" could apply to both a human relationship and a spiritual one. The singer is struggling to maintain their connection with someone who is not physically present, be it a loved one or their deity. The final line, "Though he remains unseen," suggests that this spiritual connection is even more profound and mysterious than a physical one. By linking his personal longing to his faith, Heard taps into a powerful emotional undercurrent that resonates with many listeners.


Overall, "Just the Same" is a moving meditation on longing, distance, and the power of human and divine connections.


Line by Line Meaning

When the phone rang Sunday night
On a Sunday night, my phone rang


I was surprised to hear your voice
I felt a sudden emotion of surprise upon hearing your voice


And a hundred miles of wire
The phone line that connected us spans a distance of one hundred miles


Brought in your thoughts, and I rejoiced
I was happy to receive and hear your thoughts through the phone line


And then we said good-bye
Our conversation ended with a farewell


And I hung up the telephone
I terminated the conversation by putting down the phone


It seemed like you were here
I felt as though you were physically present with me


But in an instant you were gone
Your presence disappeared in a snap of a finger or a momentary lapse of time


And I don't know what you're doing
I am not aware of your current activities


And the distance is to blame
The cause of our separation is the physical distance between us


Though I ain't in Mississippi
Even though I am not present in the state of Mississippi


Still I miss you just the same
I still have a strong desire to be with you despite the distance between us


Well you know you're just as real when you're here
When you are physically present, you are just as tangible and real as ever


When you're away
However, when you are absent or far away from me


But it sure is hard to realize
It becomes challenging to perceive and understand this reality


Though I try the live-long day
Despite my best efforts all day long


If I forget your face
In case I ever forget what you look like


When space and time make you a dream
Due to the physical distance and passing of time, you may appear like a mere fantasy or illusion


How real the Lord must be
This makes me ponder how truly genuine and authentic the Lord must be


Though he remains unseen
Despite not being able to see the Lord, his existence and presence are abundantly evident




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@alannamac8720

Just the Same

When the phone rang Sunday night
I was surprised to hear your voice
And a hundred miles of wire
Brought in your thoughts, and I rejoiced
And then we said good-bye
And I hung up the telephone
It seemed like you were here
But in an instant you were gone
And I don't know what you're doing
And the distance is to blame
Though I ain't in Mississippi
Still I miss you just the same

Well you know you're just as real
when you're here
When you're away
But it sure is hard to realize
Though I try the live-long day
If I forget your face
When space and time make you a dream

How real the Lord must be
Though he remains unseen

And I don't know what you're doing
And the distance is to blame
Though I ain't in Mississippi
Still I miss you just the same

Written by Mark Heard
© 1980 Palmfrond Communications

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