For Free
Sainte marie buffy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I went shoppin' today for jewels
Wind rushed around in the dirty town
And the children let out from the schools
I was standin' on a noisy corner
I was waitin' for the walkin' green
Across the street he stood and he played real good
Now me, I play for fortune
And those velvet curtain calls
I got a black limousine and sixteen gentlemen
Escorting me to these halls
And I play if you have the money
Or if you're some kind of friend to me
But the one man band by the quick lunch stand
He was playin' real good for free
Nobody stopped to hear him
Though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never been on their TV
So they passed his good music by
I meant to go over to him and ask for a song
Maybe put on some kind of harmony
I heard his refrain as that signal changed
He was playing real good and for free
The song "For Free" by Buffy Sainte Marie tells the story of a talented street musician playing his clarinet on a noisy corner in a dirty town. The singer is a successful musician who performs for a living, with a black limousine and an entourage of gentlemen to escort her to luxurious halls. However, when she comes across the street musician playing for free, she recognizes his talent and is moved by his performance. Despite his amazing musical abilities, nobody stops to listen to him because he is not a famous musician or hasn't been on TV.
The song highlights the stark contrast between wealthy, famous musicians and talented street musicians who go unnoticed. It also shows how society tends to value money and fame above raw talent and artistry. The singer's admiration for the street musician's performance emphasizes the importance of appreciating and supporting talented individuals regardless of their social status.
Overall, "For Free" is a poignant commentary on the cultural values that often neglect true talent and creativity in favor of wealth and popularity.
Line by Line Meaning
I slept last night in The Fairmont hotel
I spent the night at a luxurious hotel called The Fairmont.
I went shoppin' today for jewels
Today I went shopping for expensive jewelry.
Wind rushed around in the dirty town
The wind was blowing fiercely in the grimy city.
And the children let out from the schools
The kids were released from school and poured out onto the streets.
I was standin' on a noisy corner
I was waiting at a bustling street corner.
I was waitin' for the walkin' green
I was waiting for the pedestrian traffic light to turn green.
Across the street he stood and he played real good
On the other side of the street, a musician played skillfully.
On his clarinet for free
He was playing his clarinet for no charge.
Now me, I play for fortune
I perform my music for payment.
And those velvet curtain calls
I receive applause from an audience behind plush curtains.
I got a black limousine and sixteen gentlemen
I have a luxurious black limousine and a team of sixteen men.
Escorting me to these halls
They accompany me to grand halls.
And I play if you have the money
I'll perform for you if you have enough money to pay me.
Or if you're some kind of friend to me
Or if you're a close acquaintance to me.
But the one man band by the quick lunch stand
However, a musician playing alone by a fast food kiosk.
He was playin' real good for free
He was performing skillfully without asking for payment.
Nobody stopped to hear him
Nobody paused to appreciate his music.
Though he played so sweet and high
Despite his beautiful and uplifting music.
They knew he had never been on their TV
They recognized that he wasn't famous or on television.
So they passed his good music by
Consequently, they ignored his talent and moved on.
I meant to go over to him and ask for a song
I wanted to approach him and request a song.
Maybe put on some kind of harmony
Perhaps I could accompany him with some harmony.
I heard his refrain as that signal changed
I heard the last few notes of his tune as the traffic light changed.
He was playing real good and for free
He was performing impressively without charging anyone.
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind