The son of tenor saxophonist Paul Guloien (who used the professional name o… Read Full Bio ↴The son of tenor saxophonist Paul Guloien (who used the professional name of Paul Perry), P.J. Perry began his musical career playing alto in his father's band when he was 14. Within a year, P.J. was freelancing in Vancouver. Despite getting several offers to play in the U.S. (including from Terry Gibbs when he was 18), Perry has spent most of his career in Canada (with a few short periods in Europe), performing with all of the top Canadian jazz players and in the studios. Combining together aspects of Art Pepper, Sonny Stitt, and Phil Woods in his own passionate style, P.J. Perry has recorded for CBC, Gramaphone, Little Mountain Records, Unity (1989), Jazz Alliance (1990), and Justin Time (2000).

My Old Flame
P.J. Perry Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My old man, I can still see his hands, holding on to the reins of his horse from the racetrack stands
They did him in, like they all do us in, in the end there'll be no one left but crooks and a bunch of thieves
My old man

My old man, drops of sweat in the sand, just a steeplechase jockey from Kentucky in another race
Our heroes fall, don't they all? But Gilford and my dad, they didn't do nothing wrong at all
My old man

The shot ringed clear, in the cool spring air, there was death and blood and cries of anguish flying all around the track
Life will break us, it will spit in your face, I'll be damned if I didn't see it happen with my own eyes

My old man, my old man, my old man
My old man

Overall Meaning

In P.J. Perry's song "My Old Flame," the lyrics speak about the sacrifice of a soldier who fights in a foreign land. The lyrics express a sense of confusion and loneliness that such soldiers might feel as they engage in warfare. The question is posed to the listener: can anyone truly understand what it's like to be on the other side of enemy lines? The lyrics suggest that the answer is unclear.

The song then shifts to the story of a man of faith and American pride who gave his life for his country. Perry notes that this man was not one to run away in the face of danger. The lyrics paint a picture of a soldier who was committed to protecting America and its people, as evidenced by his final breaths.

As the song comes to a close, Perry expresses his love for the fallen soldier, referred to as his "old friend." He uses patriotic imagery, referencing Purple Hearts and silver stars, to remind listeners of the soldier's service and sacrifice. The final line of the song echoes the Biblical verse John 15:13: "There's no greater love a man will have than this, that he lay down his life for all his friends."

Line by Line Meaning

Fighting in a foreign land
Engaging in a battle in an unfamiliar territory

Can anyone here really understand?
Is anyone able to truly comprehend the situation at hand?

On the other side of the enemy lines
Located across the borders of the opposing force

Can anyone say what it's really like?
Is anyone capable of describing the reality of the experience?

A man of faith and American pride
An individual who possesses religious belief and takes pride in being an American

Wasn't that kind to go run and hide
Was not the type to flee and hide from danger

With every last breath he paid the price
Sacrificed his life for the cause before taking his final breath

He gave his own for you and I
He offered his life for the benefit of others, including ourselves

My old friend
Someone who has been a companion for a long time

My old friend
A trusted individual who has been known for a considerable period of time

I'll see you again
We will meet once more

My old friend
A dear comrade from the past

Purple Hearts and silver stars
Honor and respect awarded to those who displayed valor in the line of duty

Reminding those who you were
Serving to recall the identity and contributions of the person being honored

American son American brother
Born and raised in America, and considered a brother to others in his community

American heart and American Soldier
Spirit and commitment of a patriotic American who fought for his country

There's no greater love a man will have than this
The highest level of love a person can possess is demonstrated by the willingness to sacrifice oneself for the well-being of others

That he lay down his life for all his friends
To surrender one's existence for the sake of those held dear

My old friend
A significant and cherished associate from earlier times

My old friend
A friend who has held a meaningful role in one's life in the past

Til we meet again
Until we cross paths once more

I'll see you again
I will have the opportunity to reunite with you in the future

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Paul Bond

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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