overture
Neil Warner/The Orchestra Lyrics
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Didn't come home
His unborn child
Will never know him
Believe him missing
With a number of men
Don't expect
To see him again
The lyrics of Overture by The Orchestra (formerly known as Electric Light Orchestra Part II) tell the story of Captain Walker, a man who went missing and is presumed dead. The song's verses describe his absence and the impact it has on those left behind. The opening line, "Captain Walker, didn't come home," establishes the central theme of the song. The next line, "His unborn child will never know him," highlights the tragedy of his absence. The third line, "Believe him missing with a number of men," adds to the dramatic tension by hinting at the possibility that more than one person is missing. The final line, "Don't expect to see him again," is a heartbreaking conclusion to the verse, as it suggests that there is no hope for Captain Walker's return.
The chorus of the song builds on the emotion of the verses, with the lyrics "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me" evoking a sense of desperation and yearning. The repetition of these phrases over the course of the chorus creates a sense of urgency, as if the singer is pleading for some kind of intervention that will bring Captain Walker home.
Line by Line Meaning
Captain Walker
The singer of the story, a soldier named Captain Walker
Didn't come home
Captain Walker did not return home from the war
His unborn child
Captain Walker's child was not yet born at the time of his disappearance
Will never know him
The child will grow up without ever knowing their father
Believe him missing
There is no confirmation of Captain Walker's death, only uncertainty of his whereabouts
With a number of men
Captain Walker disappeared along with several other soldiers
Don't expect
There is little hope of Captain Walker ever being found
To see him again
It is unlikely that anyone will ever see Captain Walker alive again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: PETER TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind