Homeward Bound
Paul Simon and George Harrison Lyrics
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Got a ticket for my destination
On a tour of one-night-stands
My suitcase and guitar at hand
And every stop is neatly planned for a
Poet and a one man band
Homeward bound, I wish I was homeward bound
Where my music's playing
Home, where my love lies
Waiting silently for me
Every day's an endless dream
Of cigarettes and magazines
And each town looks the same to me
The movies and the factories
And every stranger's face I see reminds
Me that I long to be
Tonight I'll sing my songs again
I'll play the game and pretend
But all my words come back to me
In shades of mediocrity
Like emptiness and harmony
I need someone to comfort me silently for me
The song "Homeward Bound" by Paul Simon and George Harrison expresses the feeling of homesickness that is accompanied by being on the road and living a life of a travelling musician. The opening line itself indicates a sense of restlessness as the singer sits in the railway station. He has a ticket to his destination, but that destination is not really home, rather somewhere to perform. The entire song is a contemplation on the idea of home, where the heart wants to be, and a place where one can escape from the everyday routine of life. The lyrics describe a sense of monotonous sameness associated with touring, as each day is characterized by cigarettes, magazines and the familiar faces of strangers.
The singer's solace remains in the thought of going back home, where his music is playing and the love of his life awaits him, bringing a sense of comfort and completeness. He acknowledges that he is just playing a role when he sings and performs and that his words lack the expression and satisfaction that he so craves. But through all the mediocrity, the thought of home is a constant reminder of where his heart truly lies.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting in the railway station.
I am currently located in a train station.
Got a ticket to my destination.
I possess a document which entitles me to travel to my desired endpoint.
On a tour of one-night stands my suitcase and guitar in hand.
I am undertaking a series of brief concerts while carrying my luggage and musical instrument.
And ev’ry stop is neatly planned for a poet and a one-man band.
All of my scheduled stops have been organized with precision, specifically for a musician without a backing group.
Homeward bound, I wish I was,
I desire to return to my place of residence.
Home where my thought's escaping,
My mind detaches itself from the present location when I am in my house.
Home where my music's playing,
My home is where I can listen to the music I wish to hear.
Home where my love lies waiting silently for me.
My beloved patiently awaits my arrival in a tranquil manner at my residence.
Ev’ry day's an endless stream of cigarettes and magazines.
I observe an overabundance of periodicals and cigarettes on a regular basis.
And each town looks the same to me, the movies and the factories
All of the settlements I visit appear indistinguishable because of the prevalence of film theaters and factories.
And ev’ry stranger's face I see reminds me that I long to be,
Every countenance of an unknown individual prompts me to crave for returning to my home.
Homeward bound, I wish I was,
I desire to return to my place of residence.
Home where my thought's escaping,
My mind detaches itself from the present location when I am in my house.
Home where my music's playing,
My home is where I can listen to the music I wish to hear.
Home where my love lies waiting silently for me.
My beloved patiently awaits my arrival in a tranquil manner at my residence.
Tonight I'll sing my songs again,
I will rehearse my musical pieces once more this evening.
I'll play the game and pretend.
I will take part in the show and deliver a false portrayal.
But all my words come back to me in shades of mediocrity
I cannot escape the fact that my words lack originality and remain dull even as I retain them.
Like emptiness in harmony I need someone to comfort me.
The emptiness that is present in my music necessitates the requirement of another individual to console me.
Homeward bound, I wish I was,
I desire to return to my place of residence.
Home where my thought's escaping,
My mind detaches itself from the present location when I am in my house.
Home where my music's playing,
My home is where I can listen to the music I wish to hear.
Home where my love lies waiting silently for me.
My beloved patiently awaits my arrival in a tranquil manner at my residence.
Silently for me.
Anxiously expecting my arrival in complete silence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MartyTheAussie
I am a Paul Simon fan since 1966, and the Beatles fan, George Harrison, since 1963. I had never heard this before. It is so moving, and brilliant. RIP George ❤
@Miranda9162
Yes, I heard it for the first time today.
@bobtausworthe
They also sang Here comes The Sun which also worth searching for
@Miranda9162
I meant to add, it’s brilliant.
@jimclarke1108
Exactly
@TroisKayas
I was just thinking the same thing Marty. Never thought I'd hear one of my favourite songs sung by my favourite Beatle.
@leokimvideo
Pauls an amazing songwriter, but George steals the show here. Both super talented who did really well as individual artists.
@teddyquinn7704
George was the beautiful Beatle 🙏🏽
@megadave1197
How?
@bigoltits1880
george definitely did not steal the show here, idk what prompted you to claim such a thing. hell, it was george who sang "my love is waiting silently" instead of "my love lies waiting silently" ffs.