At The Window
The Birds and The Beats Lyrics
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A bum fiddles for change from the phone
The man at the desk hands back a credit card
And tells the pregnant girl it's no good
There's news on the TV, with white teeth to deceive me
A man with a pamphlet cries, "You better believe me!"
To lay my head by my baby alone
I once loved this world I was shown
But now I believe I must be slow to believe
An old man is in line, telling his wife she is fine
He holds her by the arm
"Please don't wander from me
No one can bring you back to me."
And he didn't complain when she asked him his name
"And we're going on home," He said
"Where you and I can be alone
We'll flip through our photos, and I know
You know me. This is the last thing I'll believe"
But, I'm going on home
To lay my head by my baby alone
I once loved this world I was shown
But now I believe I must be slow to believe
“At The Window” by The Birds and The Beats is a melancholic song that talks about the disillusionment of the modern world, the pain of losing loved ones, and the need to stay grounded amidst chaos. The song starts with a vivid imagery of the sun shining through a bus window while a homeless man plays his music for change. The scene is further amplified by an unsympathetic credit card agent denying a pregnant woman’s card. The TV news, filled with lies and false promises, only adds to the chaos and disillusionment.
The song then transitions to an old man trying his best to keep his wife with him amidst her wandering state. His love and devotion to his wife are palpable as he patiently answers her questions and assures her of their love. The song highlights the sadness and pain that comes with the loss of a loved one and the struggle to hold on to those memories amidst a cruel world.
The central theme of the song is the need to believe and stay grounded amidst the chaos and disappointments of the world. The last refrain of “I once loved this world I was shown, but now I believe I must be slow to believe” resonates with the listener, reminding them of the transience, the fleeting nature of our experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun coming in through a bus stop window
The sun shining through a window at a bus stop.
A bum fiddles for change from the phone
A homeless man searches for money by the payphone.
The man at the desk hands back a credit card
A man working at a desk returns a credit card.
And tells the pregnant girl it's no good
The man informs the pregnant woman that her credit card is not valid.
There's news on the TV, with white teeth to deceive me
The TV displays false news, presented by people with fake smiles.
A man with a pamphlet cries, "You better believe me!"
A man urges people to believe the information on his pamphlet.
But, I'm going on home
Despite the chaos and false information in the world, I am leaving and going home.
To lay my head by my baby alone
I am going to be with my loved one and find comfort in their presence.
I once loved this world I was shown
I once had faith in the world and the information presented to me.
But now I believe I must be slow to believe
Now I doubt the validity of the world and take time to question what I am told.
An old man is in line, telling his wife she is fine
An elderly man comforts his wife, assuring her that she is okay.
He holds her by the arm
He supports and guides his wife as they move.
"Please don't wander from me
The man expresses concern over his wife's safety and wellbeing.
No one can bring you back to me."
He recognizes that no one can replace his wife and their connection.
And he didn't complain when she asked him his name
He does not get upset when his wife has trouble remembering basic details.
"And we're going on home," He said
The man is determined to take his wife home to keep her safe and comfortable.
"Where you and I can be alone
He is looking forward to having a private and intimate moment with his wife.
We'll flip through our photos, and I know
They will look at old photos together and reminisce.
You know me. This is the last thing I'll believe"
The man is confident that his wife knows him and understands his love for her.
But, I'm going on home
Just as the old couple is going home, I too am leaving and going home.
To lay my head by my baby alone
I am seeking comfort and closeness with my loved one.
I once loved this world I was shown
Like the old couple, I once had faith in the world and its people.
But now I believe I must be slow to believe
But now, like the singer, I have become more skeptical and cautious about the world around me.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Brendan O'Donnell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind