Born and raised in Troy, New York, Rowe started playing music at an early age. He received a bass guitar from his father on his 12th birthday and performed in a local band. After receiving an acoustic guitar as a gift from his uncle, Rowe began playing solo.
Since 2003, Rowe played locally in his hometown at open mics, bars and cafes. He began playing with percussionist Marco Haber , who played on a few tracks on his first album 27. Shortly thereafter they began playing under the name Mudfunk and recorded a live album, Live at the Grind, as well as a single of Wrong Side Of The Bed. The latter would be re-recorded for Sean's solo album, Magic, without Haber and with different instrumentation. Sean Rowe now records for ANTI- Records.
Long Way Home
Sean Rowe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He couldn't see too well
His left eye was shot out in the war
And the other one was getting so tired of watching all of the time
It's hard enough keep awake and alive on this cold day
As far as he knows
It's gonna take 4 days
And there's nothing that could ever be smiling quite like
Death at the door
He never thought that he would be poor like that again
He had a day dream
And a real need for a cigarette
The birds are falling
And it will dark soon
So he told his boots to carry on
On a granite stone
He didn't sleep too well
He had her name at the end of his tongue
He made love to his memory
It stung him in the dark
Morning came and it ate his heart
Oh but the thunder of the river behind him
Brought him up to his knees
And he prayed hard enough to say please
Against his odds
He had a day dream
And a real need for a cigarette
The moon is calling
And it will be dark
So he told his boots to carry on
In Sean Rowe's song "Long Way Home," the narrative follows a wounded soldier with a serious visual impairment attempting to make his way home. He's battling to keep his remaining eye open in the stingingly cold weather and he's haunted by the possibility of death being just around the corner. As he trudges along, his thoughts go back to a certain woman he left behind whom he's still utterly devoted to. Despite being on the brink of exhaustion, he's gripped by the reality that he cannot give up hope that he will make it home, even if it means he has to suffer through the cold and darkness of the night. The visual imagery in the lyrics takes you on an intense and emotional journey through the soldier's eyes as he struggles to complete his mission.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a long way home
The journey ahead is a difficult one.
He couldn't see too well
He's visually impaired and this affects his journey.
His left eye was shot out in the war
He lost his left eye while fighting in the war.
And the other one was getting so tired of watching all of the time
His other eye is also strained and exhausted from keeping watch all the time.
It's hard enough keep awake and alive on this cold day
The journey is challenging and he must stay alert to stay alive and make it through.
As far as he knows
He's not entirely certain of what lies ahead.
It's gonna take 4 days
The journey will take four long days.
For the man to catch up with the mile
He must walk a mile to meet someone.
And there's nothing that could ever be smiling quite like
Nothing can bring the joy that he's looking for.
Death at the door
He is coming to terms with his own mortality and the possibility of death on this journey.
He never thought that he would be poor like that again
He didn't expect to be in such dire circumstances on this journey.
He had a day dream
He has a vivid imagination and sometimes escapes his current reality in his daydreams.
And a real need for a cigarette
He craves nicotine and finds comfort in smoking.
The birds are falling
Nature is changing around him and it is unsettling.
And it will dark soon
Nightfall is approaching.
So he told his boots to carry on
He motivates himself to keep moving forward despite the hardship.
On a granite stone
He takes a moment to rest on a rock made of granite.
He didn't sleep too well
He had difficulty sleeping due to the uncomfortable position and his thoughts of someone he cares deeply about.
He had her name at the end of his tongue
He's thinking of a person he's close to and may be longing for her.
He made love to his memory
He remembers an intimate moment he shared with his loved one, but it feels like a distant memory.
It stung him in the dark
The memory and longing for his loved one pains him emotionally.
Morning came and it ate his heart
A new day brought new challenges and weighed on his heart.
Oh but the thunder of the river behind him
He is surrounded by natural elements that are imposing and thunderous, like the river behind him.
Brought him up to his knees
The thunderous sound was so strong that he dropped to his knees.
And he prayed hard enough to say please
He offers up a desperate prayer in the hopes of making it through this journey and surviving against the odds.
Against his odds
He recognizes that he is facing difficult odds but he remains hopeful.
The moon is calling
The moon reminds him of someone or something he's connected to.
And it will be dark
Nightfall is quickly approaching once again.
So he told his boots to carry on
He continues to find motivation and strength to keep moving forward despite the difficulty of the journey.
Writer(s): Sean Rowe Copyright: 4 Septembers Music, Music Of The Mothership
Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Domenico De Luca
It's cold here in Toronto tonight - minus 14. Emotions are sitting heavy on the surface and, so, I'm feeling everything double. Takes a man and a song to give that feeling direction and purpose.
All music dot com is a marvelous resource. I never would've heard a single note from Sean Rowe if it wasn't for them. Man, this guy can write - "Oh, i have built my questions a raft/and i send them floating there on a lake of glass." And sing! Voice like thunder rumbling through your head knocking over every thought that may stand in its' way, that may compete with it for your attention.
Yeah, so, I guess I'm a fan. Thanks for showing other singer/songwriters how its' done.
One* Love
Domenico De Luca 🙏🙏🙏 BLESSINGS MY FRIEND...
Debbie Ghostley
Beautiful!
Jamie Sly
Love his voice...reminds me of Greg Brown.
Nedlof5
Lovely
SirTaco
courage man
Nelson Rodon
Lovely