Fell On Hard Times
Neal Casal Lyrics

Since I fell on hard times
Ever since I suffered a difficult time, I have been struggling to find my footing.

I haven't known what to do
I have been at a loss and unsure of how to proceed.

I spend my days here in line
I pass my time waiting in lines, without any clear direction or purpose.

Just waiting for something new
I am hoping for a change or something different to happen, to provide me with a new direction or sense of purpose.

From fireworks and peaches
I have experienced a wide range of things, from exciting and joyous to simple and natural.

To weed, speed and bluegrass
I have dabbled in things that some might consider reckless or dangerous, as well as enjoyed simple pleasures like music.

From buses that burn
I have seen difficult situations, such as bus accidents or breakdowns.

And barns that lean down
I have witnessed scenes of decay or abandonment, such as old barns that are falling apart.

As far as my memory reaches
These experiences go back as far as I can remember, and have helped to shape who I am today.

I haven't known where to go
Amidst all these experiences, I have felt lost and directionless, uncertain of where to find my place in the world.

I thought I might have seen a sign
At times, I have thought that I found some sort of guidance or direction, but these signs have always turned out to be false or misleading.

With the first dust of snow
These false signs sometimes appear during moments of quiet and reflection, such as the first snowfall of the season.

But it added up to nothing
Ultimately, these supposed signs have amounted to nothing and have not helped to provide me with any sense of direction or purpose.

And now I'm no longer sure
As a result, I have become uncertain and confused, unsure of what to believe or where to turn.

If my prayers are just a habit
I wonder if my attempts to seek guidance and support through prayer have become merely habitual or automatic.

Or if I'm just a fool
I question whether I am naive or foolish for thinking that life can be worthwhile despite the hardships and difficulties I have faced.

For thinking life ain't worth living
These struggles have made it difficult to see the value and meaning of life itself.

And no one knows just what lay in store
The future is always uncertain and unpredictable, and no one can truly know what will happen next.

No one knows just what we're in for
We cannot fully prepare for or anticipate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

No one knows, nobody knows
The future is ultimately unknowable and beyond our control.

Since I fell on hard times
Once again, I reflect on how my struggles have made it difficult to find direction and meaning in life.

I haven't known right from wrong
These struggles have also blurred my sense of morality or ethical values, making it hard to know what is right or wrong.

But Lord knows, I've been trying
Despite this uncertainty, I have been making an effort to do the best I can, with the limited knowledge and guidance I have.

To find where I belong
I am still searching for a sense of belonging or purpose in life.

I keep dreaming bare branches
In my mind, I keep returning to images of bare trees and empty landscapes, which symbolize feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and loss.

On these air patrolled highways
These dreams often occur while traveling, or on long stretches of empty highway where I am left with just my thoughts and memories.

I guess it just comes from living life alone
These dreams and sense of emptiness may stem from the fact that I have been living a solitary or isolated life.

In these hotels shaped like ashes
In particular, I associate these feelings with the dreary and unremarkable hotels where I often stay while traveling.

I ain't been feeling that good
Overall, my struggles have taken a toll on my spirit and well-being.

I tell the world that I'm fine
Despite this, I try to maintain a facade of normalcy and put on a brave face for others.

I'd change it all if I could
In reality, I wish that things were different and that I could escape from the difficulties I face.

I sold my green leather jacket
As a symbol of my past self and my old life, I have sold my prized possession (a green leather jacket) in order to cope with my current struggles.

In front of the Piedmont cafe
This act occurred in a specific place (in front of a cafe in Piedmont), and may hold additional significance or memories for me.

And ever since then
This act has had a lasting impact on my life and state of mind.

I've been looking for someone
Since then, I have been searching for something or someone to help me through these difficult times.

To help while these days away
I am seeking someone or something that can provide me with support or companionship, as I struggle through each day.

I can't believe what I've seen
Over the course of my life and struggles, I have witnessed many things that are shocking, unbelievable, or hard to process.

To live such a different life
These experiences have made me feel as though I am living a life that is vastly different from what I imagined or hoped for.

Than the one that you dreamed
The person I once imagined myself being, and the life I once hoped to have, is very different from the one I am currently living.

It's all part of a story
Despite these struggles and hardships, I try to see my life as a larger narrative or story, with ups and downs, and twists and turns.

But it has no end from fortunes
This story has no clear ending, and is shaped not just by good or bad luck, but by the choices I make and the way I respond to challenges.

That turn to reasons we find
Sometimes, the difficulties we face or the fortunes we encounter can become the reasons or explanations for why we are who we are.

To live it all over again
Ultimately, life is a journey that is full of both joy and pain, and we must live every moment and experience to the fullest, knowing that we may have to endure hardships again in the future.