Don´t Know Where I'm Going
Rory Gallagher Lyrics
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Don't know where I've been.
'Cause I haven't seen my baby,
Since I don't know when.
I'm walking down that long road,
With a smile up on my face.
I'm broken-hearted,
Feeling disconnected,
These blues are out to kill.
Sweep them in the corner,
Put 'em in the bin.
All right so you don't sympathize,
Don't expect that you should.
Walk right for one day you might,
Run into this patch of gray clouds too.
All right so you don't sympathize,
I don't expect that you should.
Stay bright for one day you might,
Run into this patch of gray clouds too.
Gravel in my pockets,
From the places I have been,
The soles of my shoes are paper thin.
I got sand here in my pockets,
From the place that I come from.
That's where I'm going,
So I'll say so long, yeah.
The first two lines of this song, "I don't know where I'm going, don't know where I've been" paint a picture of someone lost, confused and disconnected from the world. The line "cause I haven't seen my baby, since I don't know when" gives the impression that he is a man seeking direction, love and above all someone to care for him. Rory Gallagher talks about walking down a long road with a smile on his face, but he is broken hearted and feeling disconnected. We can't tell if he is putting on a brave face for the world or if he is genuinely trying to stay positive. His use of metaphors such as "These blues are out to kill, sweep them in the corner, put 'em in the bin" demonstrate that he is trying to rid himself of negative emotions and push on with his life.
In the second verse, Rory Gallagher talks directly to the listener, "All right so you don't sympathize, don't expect that you should. Walk right, for one day you might, run into this patch of gray clouds too." This line is a direct appeal from one human to another, to offer empathy and understanding, as no one knows what lies ahead. Rory is not asking for sympathy, just a sense of understanding that hope and positivity can be fleeting when trying to navigate through a challenging patch in life.
The final verse seems to suggest Rory Gallagher is going "home" to his origins. He says he has gravel in his pockets, from the places he has been, and the soles of his shoes are paper thin. He then refers to sand in his pockets, from the place he comes from, again, indicating that he is heading back to his roots. The fact that he is taking stock of his journey indicates that he has found some form of direction, rather than feeling lost or aimless. The line "That's where I'm going, So I'll say so long, Yeah" gives the implication that he is moving forwards and putting everything behind him.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know where I'm going,
I'm lost and aimless with no clear direction.
Don't know where I've been.
I lack a sense of rootedness and don't have a clear history to look back on.
'Cause I haven't seen my baby,
I'm feeling heartbroken and disconnected from someone who used to be an important part of my life.
Since I don't know when.
It's been a long time since I last saw this person, and I can't even remember exactly when it was.
I'm walking down that long road,
I'm on a journey that feels endless and uncertain.
With a smile up on my face.
Even though I'm struggling, I'm trying to keep a positive outlook and stay optimistic.
I'm broken-hearted,
I'm feeling sad and emotionally wounded.
But you won't see a trace.
I'm trying to hide my pain and put on a brave face for the world.
Feeling disconnected,
I'm experiencing a sense of isolation and detachment.
These blues are out to kill.
My depression is overwhelming and feels like it could be the death of me.
Sweep them in the corner,
I'm trying to push my negative feelings aside and ignore them.
Put 'em in the bin.
I want to get rid of my negative feelings and move on from them.
All right so you don't sympathize,
I understand that not everyone will be able to relate to my struggles.
Don't expect that you should.
I don't blame anyone who can't understand how I'm feeling.
Walk right for one day you might,
It's possible that someday you might find yourself in a similar situation.
Run into this patch of gray clouds too.
You might experience your own struggles and hardships one day.
Gravel in my pockets,
I'm carrying a heavy burden with me wherever I go.
From the places I have been,
My past experiences have left a mark on me and influenced my current state.
The soles of my shoes are paper thin.
I've been walking for a long time and my shoes are wearing out, which is a metaphor for my own exhaustion and emotional depletion.
I got sand here in my pockets,
I'm carrying a piece of my past with me and trying to hold onto it as I move forward.
From the place that I come from.
My roots and background are still an important part of who I am, even as I try to move beyond them.
That's where I'm going,
I'm trying to find my way back home, both figuratively and literally.
So I'll say so long, yeah.
I'm saying goodbye to my current struggles and moving forward in the hopes of finding something better.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RORY GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Burt Wallace
B.B. KING once said , how a white peace loving guitarist from Ireland could convey the spirit of the blues like Rory was totally beyond him .
Norm
Some have said that the Irish were the Blacks of Britain. Many years ago the Irish were slaves, so that may explain something.
Dave
@Jungle Ninja don't let facts get in the way of truth huh!
amcreative
Thomas Kenneally wrote of the Irish being slaves in the States and treated worse than African Americans.
The Irish rule social media now so the tide is
turning.
Jungle Ninja
@amcreative no it's not turning and what to you mean ? Social media is not ruled by anyone
Eric O'Brien
I so hope that is true!!
Neil Angus
It's simply fantastic that this clip has been found
I just have the upmost respect for anyone who finds stuff about Rory Gallagher
Noel Horgan
Stay right for one day
Sean Campbell
Yes, keep it coming!
callingcard
Wow, almost 45yrs ago.He was my idol then and still is.Brilliant performance, has stood the test of time.
Great rare post.Thanks