Five Minutes From America
The Modern West Lyrics
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On the side of the road in view of the Texaco star
I spent all on my money on water and food
Got Willie on the radio singing those country blues
Well I had a good job down in New Orleans
Once I was a citizen, now I'm a refugee
I can't go back, can't move aheadTried to make a call but I can't 'cause
My god damned cellphone's dead
[Chorus:]
I'm just five minutes from America
I see it very clear
I'm just five minutes from America
But you can't get there from here
I kept up with the Jones' wherever they are
I had some real nice neighbors had me a big back yard
Now I'm watching the world pass me by
Like I'm an immigrant on the move
Saw the roof of my house on the TV sitting in my motel room
Back down the road a policeman smiled then he offered his hand
He said welcome stranger but you really can't stay here man
On up ahead there's some opportunities
You can find 'em everywhere
Maybe go to Houston, there's a lot of you there
Willie sang blues eyes crying in the rain
Out in Luchenbach Texas, they ain't feeling no pain
But in the back of my head, the waves still pound
When the levee broke the music stopped
And the world was watching as hell came down
The Modern West's song Five Minutes From America is a powerful commentary on the experience of refugees in America. The lyrics poignantly capture the experiences and feelings of a refugee who is stranded in a broken-down car on the side of the road, close to the border of America. The singer of the song is a former citizen of New Orleans who, due to some catastrophic events, has become a refugee. He is unable to either go back to his hometown or move ahead to his new destination, Houston.
The lyrics also highlight the cultural isolation experienced by such refugees. The singer is shown listening to Willie on the radio singing those country blues, a stark contrast to the hip and modern life he used to lead. He is now watching the world pass him by, like an immigrant on the move, cut off from his roots and cultural heritage. The song talks about the tragedy of displacement, cultural alienation, and the betrayal of the American Dream.
Overall, The Modern West's Five Minutes From America is a gut-wrenching commentary on the experience of refugees in America, a powerful reflection on the dark realities of displacement and cultural isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
I got two little kids in a broke down car
I am stranded on the side of the road with my two young children in a car that is not working
On the side of the road in view of the Texaco star
I can see the Texaco sign from where I am stranded on the side of the road
I spent all on my money on water and food
I used all the money I had to buy essential supplies like water and food
Got Willie on the radio singing those country blues
I have a country music station on the radio and Willie Nelson's music is playing
Well I had a good job down in New Orleans
I used to have a decent job in New Orleans
Once I was a citizen, now I'm a refugee
I used to be a citizen of a place, but now I have become a refugee
I can't go back, can't move ahead
I am stuck in my current situation and cannot change it
Tried to make a call but I can't 'cause / My god damned cellphone's dead
I tried to use my cellphone to make a call, but it is not working and is dead
I'm just five minutes from America / I see it very clear
I am very close to America, and I can see it in the distance
I'm just five minutes from America / But you can't get there from here
Even though I am close to America, I cannot get there from my current location
I kept up with the Jones' wherever they are
I tried to keep up with the latest trends and fashions, wherever I lived
I had some real nice neighbors had me a big back yard
I used to have friendly neighbors and a spacious backyard
Now I'm watching the world pass me by / Like I'm an immigrant on the move
Now I feel like an outsider watching the world pass me by, like someone who is constantly on the move and does not have a permanent home
Saw the roof of my house on the TV sitting in my motel room
I saw my house on television while I was in a motel room
Back down the road a policeman smiled then he offered his hand
I encountered a friendly police officer who greeted me with a smile and offered me his hand
He said welcome stranger but you really can't stay here man
The police officer welcomed me as a stranger, but informed me that I cannot stay in my current location
On up ahead there's some opportunities / You can find 'em everywhere
There are opportunities available further ahead, and I may be able to find them if I keep looking
Maybe go to Houston, there's a lot of you there
Houston may be a good destination to consider, as there are many people in situations similar to mine there
Willie sang blues eyes crying in the rain / Out in Luchenbach Texas, they ain't feeling no pain
Willie Nelson is singing a sad song about someone crying in the rain, but in Luchenbach Texas, people are not experiencing sadness or pain
But in the back of my head, the waves still pound / When the levee broke the music stopped / And the world was watching as hell came down
Although there may be moments of joy or hope, I am still haunted by the memories of a traumatic event that occurred when the levees broke and everything turned to chaos
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN COINMAN, KEVIN COSTNER, TEDDY MORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind