Nick Drake
Nick Drake Lyrics


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The tramp moves on to the end of the street
I listen to the echo of his hobnail feet
For some there's a future to find
But I think they're leaving me behind.

The world humes on at its breakneck pace
People fly in their lifelong race
For them there's a future to find
But I think they're leaving me behind.

The chances they come, but the chances have been lost
Success can be gained, but at too great a cost
For some there's a future to find
But I think they're leaving me behind.

The wind sweeps up and goes back to its tree
The rain flows by and moves to the sea




For them there's a future to find
But I think they're leaving me behind.

Overall Meaning

The song Nick Drake, named after its writer and performer, is a melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the feeling of stagnation in comparison to the world around us. The lyrical structure is built around the repetition of a verse that is gradually expanded upon, with each repeated stanza adding an extra layer of distance between the singer and the "future" that everyone else seems to be moving towards. The first verse paints a picture of a tramp walking away, the singer left listening to the echo of his feet, before revealing the underlying thought that while others might have a future to look forward to, the singer feels left behind.


The second verse further adds to the sense of hopeless detachment. The world is rushing by with everyone "flying" in their "lifelong race", but the singer feels incapable or unworthy of joining in. The third verse is the most resigned, with the chances of success being lost or too costly to pursue. Even nature itself seems to be progressing forward without the singer, with the wind sweeping up and the rain flowing by.


The song's sense of disillusionment is reinforced by the simplicity of the acoustic guitar, Nick Drake's voice often trailing off into gentle whispers. In a mere few verses, he has captured a deep sense of alienation from the world, where the future is always out of reach.


Line by Line Meaning

The tramp moves on to the end of the street
People move on in life, leaving their past behind


I listen to the echo of his hobnail feet
The singer is left with the sounds of the past echoing in their mind


For some there's a future to find
There are people who are actively seeking their future


But I think they're leaving me behind.
The artist feels as if they are being left behind by those who are moving forward in life


The world humes on at its breakneck pace
The world is moving quickly and leaving many behind


People fly in their lifelong race
People are constantly striving towards their goals in life


For them there's a future to find
Those who are actively pursuing their goals have a bright future


But I think they're leaving me behind.
The artist feels as if they are being left behind by those who are moving forward in life


The chances they come, but the chances have been lost
Opportunities arise but are often missed


Success can be gained, but at too great a cost
To achieve success often requires sacrifices that some people are not willing to make


For some there's a future to find
Those who are actively pursuing their goals have a bright future


But I think they're leaving me behind.
The artist feels as if they are being left behind by those who are moving forward in life


The wind sweeps up and goes back to its tree
Nature moves on and continues its cycle


The rain flows by and moves to the sea
Life moves forward and flows towards its destiny


For them there's a future to find
Those who are actively pursuing their goals have a bright future


But I think they're leaving me behind.
The artist feels as if they are being left behind by those who are moving forward in life




Contributed by Eli L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Preston


on Kimbie

And I need

And I need a Mackinaw

Preston


on Kimbie

how

hawl

Preston


on Kimbie

It's not a show. It's a shawl. The point here is that can be once a luxury item, a shawl that costs $9, while the speaker needs a Mackinaw, which is a practical warm coat. She "wants" something, but he "needs" something.

Preston


on Kimbie

Kimbie wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie desires a performance that costs exactly nine dollars

Kimbie wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie repeatedly expresses her desire for a nine dollar performance

She wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie is insistent on attending a nine dollar show

And I need
The artist has a need that is yet to be revealed

Well Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist is telling Kimbie to let her hair loose and relax

Kimbie let your hair hang down
The singer repeats his request to Kimbie, urging her to let go of her worries

Let your hair hang down
The singer encourages Kimbie to let her hair down, implying that she should stop worrying and enjoy herself

T'il it touches the ground
The artist suggests that Kimbie should let her hair down completely

Well Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist reminds Kimbie to let go of her worries as he intends to depart soon

Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist emphasizes the importance of Kimbie letting her hair down before he leaves

Cause come the morning I’ll be gone
The singer implies that he will not stay for long

Well Kimbie where you been so long
The artist questions Kimbie's whereabouts since he last saw her

I’ve been down in your state pen
Kimbie has spent time in a prison located in the singer's state

With those rough and rowdy
Kimbie has been surrounded by aggressive and unruly people

Rough and rowdy men
The people Kimbie has been surrounded by in prison are male and are known for their aggressive behaviour

Well Kimbie where you been so long
The artist repeats his question, wondering where Kimbie has been and why she has been away for so long

And I gotta go back again
Kimbie reveals that she has to return to prison once again

Well I wished I was a mole in the ground
The singer expresses his wish to be a mole that burrows underground

I wished I were a mole in the ground
The singer repeats his desire to become a mole

I was a mole in the ground
The artist imagines himself as a mole burrowing beneath the surface of the earth

And that I’d tear this mountain
The artist imagines himself digging through a mountain

I’d tear this mountain down
The artist would use his strength to destroy a mountain if he were a mole

Wished I was a mole in the ground
The singer repeats his desire to become a mole, implying that he wants to be free from the burdens of the human world

Dave


on Free Ride

That interpretation isn't correct at all.

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