Walk
Red Beans and Rice Lyrics

There are songs that birds don't sing to people
There are some messages that are not meant for everyone to hear

There are secrets you keep right through to the end
Some truths are hidden and not revealed until the very end

There are heroes they hide until forever
Some heroes go unnoticed and unrecognized for their actions

And I'm singin' this song for one of them
This song is dedicated to one of those hidden heroes

He's the man that you passed on the road there
The hero is an ordinary man that you may overlook as you pass by him on the road

The one with his life on the loose
He is a free spirit who lives his life on his terms

Goin' either somewhere or nowhere
He may be headed towards a destination, or he might just be wandering without a specific goal

Goin' without me without you
He is on his own journey, separate from anyone else's path

For he is this world's constant orphan
He is a wanderer, disconnected from a stable home or family

Travelin' out his long time
He has been traveling for a long time, seeking new experiences and places

Livin' on apples from orchards
He is resourceful and makes do with what he can find, even if it is just fruit from trees

And dyin' from grapes on the vine
He lives an adventurous life, but it comes with risks that may result in his demise

You can find him in big city winters
He is equally at home in the hustle and bustle of a big city during cold winters

Out where the mission bell crys
He is often found near churches or missions where bells are ringing

And sorrow echos through the suburbs
He experiences sadness and loneliness even in the quieter suburban areas

And tries to close all his eyes
He tries to shield himself from pain and the harsh realities of the world

And dream of his railroad existance
He may have once had a stable life or job, but now he dreams of the excitement and adventure of a life traveling by train

As if it were some kind of dream
This lifestyle seems impossible or surreal, like a dream

As if the extent of the distance
It's as though the vastness of the world is what drives him, rather than any specific destination

Were what his heart would go him
His heart leads him to seek out new experiences and places, regardless of the obstacles or hardships he may face

You can find him in Pittsburg at Christmas
He is equally comfortable being in busy cities like Pittsburgh during the holiday season

You can find him in Buffalo in June
Or in quieter areas like Buffalo during the summer months

And he knows all the back roads between them
He is a seasoned traveler who knows how to navigate the roads less traveled

Like a Gypsy he pulls a broom
He is a wanderer, like a gypsy, who carries his bags with him wherever he goes

And it's route twenty-two all over again
He has traveled this route before, retracing his steps on his journey

Stake it well down and try to look like somebody's friend
He tries to blend in and appear friendly and harmless, even if he is a stranger passing through

Look strong at the men smile for the girls
He interacts with others along the way, portraying confidence and serenity to put others at ease

Puzzle at the rest of the world
He may not understand all of the world's complexities, but he is content to continue experiencing and exploring it nonetheless