His studio albums have become increasingly experimental. While they often feature full arrangements including horns, piano, bass, drums, and back-up singers, he has translated these arrangements on stage to just himself and his guitar without slowing the tempo or sacrificing components of the song. Like the folk-country and Delta blues singers that influence him, he uses his feet, the palm of his left hand, and his voice, to simulate drums and bass behind his vocals and guitar chords. Often Sexton will accentuate his songs by running his vocals through a guitar processor (similar to Peter Frampton), as well as a jazz trumpet-like singing style.
Free World
Martin Sexton Lyrics
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Long as I care to recall
The dank little loung room in the Roosevelt hotel
My idea of a holiday
Every once in a while
A little old light shines through my tunnel
So I follow it like a moth flies to the flame.
And just when I think I got my world by the balls
I find I'm dancin' in the light again
Dancing in the light
Of a speeding freight train
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
People find my company
To be strange as hell
Looking back on aspirations and dreams
My father he had in mind for me
Moon lights the tracks and broken glass as I recall
Those plans I left so far behind
And I know it's better off he never saw me this way
He always told me donÃ?t let the devil have his due
And I know my father would turn over in his grave
To see me hog tied to the chain
Or dancing in the light
Of a speeding freight train
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
People find my company
To be strange as hell
And its only getting harder in this free world
With all this strugglin g and strain
People find my sweet peace of mind
In the pouring rain
As the storm moves in ain't no friends to be found
So I sit Ã?neath this dream and bridge for a while
And it seems that my mind is in pieces on the ground
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
Mostly find my Jesus
In the pouring rain
I'm living in the free world
In Martin Sexton's song "Free World," the singer reflects on his life as a street performer, singing for change all over town. He remembers performing in a dingy little room in the Roosevelt Hotel and how that was his idea of a holiday. Despite the hardships he's endured as a musician, he talks about following the light that shines through his tunnel like a moth to a flame. Just when he thinks he's got his world by the balls, he finds himself dancing in the light of a speeding freight train. He acknowledges that it's hard living in the free world, and people find him to be strange as hell. He looks back on the aspirations and dreams his father had for him, but realizes that he's left those plans behind. The singer knows that his father would be disappointed in him if he saw him hog-tied to the chain or dancing in the light of a speeding freight train. Despite it all, he still finds some peace of mind in the pouring rain and continues living in the free world.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been stemmin' for change and singing in these streets now
I have been advocating for change and performing music in public for as long as my memory recalls.
Long as I care to recall
It has been a long time, too long to remember.
The dank little loung room in the Roosevelt hotel
The dark, dull room at the Roosevelt hotel is my definition of a holiday.
My idea of a holiday
Spending time in the gloomy lounge room is what I consider as vacation.
Every once in a while
Occasionally, from time to time.
A little old light shines through my tunnel
I see a glimmer of hope amidst my dark circumstances.
So I follow it like a moth flies to the flame.
I pursue the light despite the danger, just as a moth is attracted to fire.
And just when I think I got my world by the balls
When I think I have control over my life and situation.
I find I'm dancin' in the light again
I am once again drawn to the light of hope.
Dancing in the light
I am rejoicing in the hope and positivity in my life.
Of a speeding freight train
This could be a metaphor for something powerful and uncontrollable in my life.
Singing it's hard
Expressing my struggles and the difficulty of my situation through song.
Living in the free world
Being alive in a world where I am theoretically free to make choices.
Getting saved by the bell
Having a close call or being rescued from a difficult situation at the last moment.
People find my company
Others seek my presence and company.
To be strange as hell
People think I am weird or unconventional.
Looking back on aspirations and dreams
Reflecting on my past ambitions and aspirations.
My father he had in mind for me
The desires and expectations my father had for my life.
Moon lights the tracks and broken glass as I recall
I remember the imagery of moonlit train tracks with broken glass scattered on the ground.
Those plans I left so far behind
I have abandoned the plans my father had for me long ago.
And I know it's better off he never saw me this way
It is for the best that my father never witnessed my current situation and circumstances.
He always told me don't let the devil have his due
My father had warned me not to fall into temptations and be consumed by evil.
And I know my father would turn over in his grave
If my father could see me now, he would be incredibly disappointed and upset.
To see me hog tied to the chain
Metaphorically, my current life situation may feel like being forced to be bound or chained.
Or dancing in the light
Similar to earlier lines, this could mean being attracted to something dangerous or uncontrollable.
Of a speeding freight train
A continuation of earlier metaphors.
Singing it's hard
Expressing the difficulty of my situation through song.
Mostly find my Jesus
I usually turn to my faith in difficult times.
In the pouring rain
During difficult times or challenges.
And its only getting harder in this free world
The challenges I face in life are becoming increasingly difficult despite the concept of freedom in the world.
With all this strugglin g and strain
I am struggling and dealing with immense pressure.
People find my sweet peace of mind
Regardless of my struggles, others can see that I have a sense of inner peace.
In the pouring rain
During difficult times or challenges.
As the storm moves in ain't no friends to be found
When things get tough, I am on my own to face the challenges.
So I sit 'neath this dream and bridge for a while
I seek refuge under the bridge as I process and work through my struggles and situation.
And it seems that my mind is in pieces on the ground
I feel mentally and emotionally broken down and overwhelmed.
Singing it's hard
Expressing the difficulty of my situation through song.
Living in the free world
Being alive in a world where I am theoretically free to make choices.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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