Black Sheep
Sexton Martin Lyrics
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Dreamin' my life away and it seems them dreams they turned into a bunch of dust clouds
Gettin' my nerve up but my past is pullin' me down
wonderin' how long this black sheep can stick around
Somebody told me once before
you can never go home again once you leave
say anything just to steer me away from the truth of what I who I am and what I believe
with a shake and some sympathy
and I packed up my blue jeans and I headed for the big prize
of my freedom
Bye bye black sheep
black sheep of the family
Bye bye black sheep how that means so much to me
Bye bye to my friends and to my family
bye bye black sheep goin' off and set my soul set it free
Times they were changin' I did just a little re-arrangin'
take a couple chances my progress it advances
to that prize of my freedom
It's written in the stars that steel bars never will a prison cell make
once I find that sweet home or a place I like to call home anyway
some people will say I'm crazy singin out loud like I do here on the street
when I got A song I sing it out loud and if you don't like that my friend
well I'm gonna say to you
Bye bye black sheep
black sheep of the family
Bye bye black sheep how that means so much to me
Bye bye to my friends and to my family
bye bye black sheep goin' off and set my soul set it free
The lyrics of Sexton Martin's Black Sheep tell the story of someone who feels like an outsider, and who dreams of escape. The first verse describes the singer's frustration with their current situation, feeling stuck and unable to leave their lonely town. Their dreams of something better have turned into dust clouds, but they're determined to get their nerve up and make a change. However, the weight of their past is holding them back, and the black sheep wonders how long they can stick around.
The second verse introduces a character who once told the singer that they could never go home again once they left. This person is trying to steer the black sheep away from the truth of who they are and what they believe. The black sheep thanks them for their two cents, but ultimately decides to pack up their blue jeans and head for the big prize of their freedom. The chorus repeats "bye bye black sheep" as a goodbye to the old life and a symbol of their rebirth.
The final verse talks about the progress the black sheep has made in their journey. They've made some changes and taken some chances, and they believe they're on their way to finding a place they can call home. They acknowledge that some people might think they're crazy for singing their song out loud, but they don't care. They'll continue to sing and live their life on their own terms, saying goodbye to the people and things that held them back. The last line reinforces their commitment to their new life: "Bye bye black sheep goin' off and set my soul set it free."
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' in this lonely town wonderin' when things are gonna change
Feeling isolated in a stagnant town and hoping for something different to happen.
Dreamin' my life away and it seems them dreams they turned into a bunch of dust clouds
Spending too much time fantasizing about life instead of taking action and watching those dreams disappear.
Gettin' my nerve up but my past is pullin' me down
Building the courage to move forward, but feeling weighed down by previous experiences.
wonderin' how long this black sheep can stick around
Questioning how much longer they can endure feeling like an outsider or outcast.
Somebody told me once before
Recalling advice from another person.
you can never go home again once you leave
Warning that returning home after leaving leads to disappointment.
say anything just to steer me away from the truth of what I who I am and what I believe
Being persuaded to ignore one's true identity and beliefs.
So I thanked him for his two cents with a shake and some sympathy
Politely acknowledging the advice given despite not agreeing with it.
and I packed up my blue jeans and I headed for the big prize of my freedom
Leaving behind the past and pursuing personal freedom.
Bye bye black sheep
Goodbye to feeling like an outsider or outcast.
black sheep of the family
Being different or not belonging in one's own family.
Bye bye black sheep how that means so much to me
Feeling relieved to leave behind a life that doesn't fit.
Bye bye to my friends and to my family
Saying goodbye to loved ones, possibly with the knowledge that they won't understand the decision to leave.
bye bye black sheep goin' off and set my soul set it free
Setting off on a journey towards personal fulfillment and freedom.
Times they were changin' I did just a little re-arrangin'
Embracing change and making adjustments to one's life.
take a couple chances my progress it advances
Taking risks leads to personal growth and progress.
It's written in the stars that steel bars never will a prison cell make
Believing that circumstances don't dictate happiness and freedom.
once I find that sweet home or a place I like to call home anyway
Anticipating finding a place where it feels right to belong.
some people will say I'm crazy singin out loud like I do here on the street
Being judged by others for expressing oneself freely and openly.
when I got A song I sing it out loud and if you don't like that my friend well I'm gonna say to you
Refusing to be silenced or repressed in expressing oneself, even in the face of criticism.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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