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Gone At Last
The Americans Lyrics


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Wheels spinning 'round, mama
Don't want to be the one who lets you down
Steam spilling out now
I ain't got the time to hang around

Heedless and blind
Leaving all the world behind

How soon is that train leaving?
Is that the one he's on, tell me fast
I don't know who you mean, ma'am
It seems you've picked the wrong place to ask

Lost him in the crowd
He could be anywhere by now
He was feeling fine
When he tore his hand from mine

Yes, take me back to Old Mill
I was much too young for leaving town
And the man you once were holding
I could never be left around

Where they mean the things they say
And weather doesn't change on a dime
And there is no guessing game between
What lies within their hearts and what's in mine

Heedless and blind
Leaving all the world behind

Rolling along, farther down the line
Holding tight to every sweet affection
I cast aside, and later couldn't find
Passing through the blinds

Roaring by, the leaves are turning
The song of our love plays on in my ears
A hundred miles away or more
I feel I don't belong anywhere

Don't say you haven't seen him
He's just a child, I don't know who else to ask
If someone doesn't find him
I'll have the whole department brought to task

But he's already gone, riding fast
Yes, he's already on, gone at last

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Gone At Last" by The Americans depict feelings of loss, confusion, and longing. The singer is desperately searching for someone, possibly a loved one, who has gone missing. The song examines themes of separation, regret, and a sense of displacement.


In the first verse, the singer expresses a fear of disappointing someone important to them. There is a sense of urgency and a need to keep moving forward, leaving no time to waste. The line "Leaving all the world behind" suggests a willingness to abandon everything else in pursuit of finding the missing person.


The second verse reflects the confusion and frustration the singer encounters when seeking help. There is a sense of desperation as they inquire about the whereabouts of the person they are looking for. The response they receive indicates that they are in the wrong place, emphasizing their sense of displacement and further highlighting the disconnect between their reality and the reality of those they ask for help.


The chorus provides a glimpse into the singer's past, expressing a desire to go back to a time when they were not ready to leave their hometown. The mention of a person they once held, whom they could never be left around, suggests a loss of trust and a longing for a more stable and predictable environment.


The final verse continues to evoke a sense of distance and longing. The singer describes feeling like an outsider, not belonging anywhere. The passing of time is represented by the turning leaves, signifying change and the passage of seasons. The repetition of the line "I'll have the whole department brought to task" demonstrates the singer's determination and desperation to find the missing person, even if it means holding others accountable.


The song concludes with the realization that the person they are searching for is already gone, riding fast and out of reach. The line "Gone at last" emphasizes the finality of the situation and highlights the singer's acceptance of the loss.


Overall, "Gone At Last" explores the emotional turmoil and confusion experienced when someone important disappears. It delves into the theme of longing and the search for meaning and connection in a world that can often feel cold and indifferent.


Line by Line Meaning

Wheels spinning 'round, mama
Life is moving fast, mother


Don't want to be the one who lets you down
I don't want to disappoint you


Steam spilling out now
Feeling overwhelmed and ready to burst


I ain't got the time to hang around
I don't have time to waste


Heedless and blind
Not paying attention and unaware


Leaving all the world behind
Abandoning everything and starting anew


How soon is that train leaving?
When is the departure time for the train?


Is that the one he's on, tell me fast
Is he on that train? Please answer quickly


I don't know who you mean, ma'am
I don't know who you're referring to, ma'am


It seems you've picked the wrong place to ask
You have chosen the incorrect location to inquire


Lost him in the crowd
I can't find him amidst the crowd


He could be anywhere by now
He may be in any location at this point


He was feeling fine
He was in a good state of mind


When he tore his hand from mine
When he forcefully let go of my hand


Yes, take me back to Old Mill
Bring me back to the place called Old Mill


I was much too young for leaving town
I was too young to depart from this town


And the man you once were holding
And the man you used to embrace


I could never be left around
I could never be left by your side


Where they mean the things they say
Where people say what they truly mean


And weather doesn't change on a dime
And the weather doesn't suddenly change


And there is no guessing game between
And there is no uncertainty between


What lies within their hearts and what's in mine
What they truly feel and what I feel


Rolling along, farther down the line
Continuing on the journey, moving further


Holding tight to every sweet affection
Clutching onto every cherished memory


I cast aside, and later couldn't find
I let go of, and then couldn't retrieve


Passing through the blinds
Moving through the window blinds


Roaring by, the leaves are turning
Speeding past, the leaves changing color


The song of our love plays on in my ears
The melody of our love still resonates with me


A hundred miles away or more
Far away, perhaps even hundreds of miles


I feel I don't belong anywhere
I sense that I don't fit in anywhere


Don't say you haven't seen him
Please don't claim you haven't encountered him


He's just a child, I don't know who else to ask
He's only a child, I have no other person to turn to


If someone doesn't find him
If somebody doesn't locate him


I'll have the whole department brought to task
I will hold the entire department accountable


But he's already gone, riding fast
However, he has already departed, moving rapidly


Yes, he's already on, gone at last
Indeed, he's already embarked, finally gone




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: The Americans

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Kent Gilberg

Dear Americans ... Please feel free to stop by Copenhagen anytime...

Kent Gilberg

Well, hey!!! Thanks a lot.

Loose Music

Kent Gilberg They'll be quite close! Malmo on 12 November: https://www.tickster.com/sv/events/xd52r7dy23rdc3n/2017-11-12/the-americans-us-gill-landry-us

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