Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man
The Tragically Hip Lyrics

It was our third time in New York
This was not the first time the singer and the other person had been to New York.

It was your fourth time in New York
The other person had been to New York one more time than the singer.

We were fifth and sixth on the bill
The singer's and the other person's bands were fifth and sixth in order of performance.

We talk a little about our bands
The artist and the other person discussed their respective musical groups.

Talk a little of our future plans
The artist and the other person mentioned some of their aspirations and goals.

It's not like we were best friends
Despite spending time together, the singer and the other person did not have a particularly close relationship.

That number scheme comes back to me
The numbering system in which their bands played still stands out in the singer's memory.

In times beyond our heartbeat
This memory is from long ago.

We hung around 'til the final band called
The artist and the other person stayed until the end of the show.

"Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man"
The final band played a song called "Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man."

You yelled in my ear, this music speaks to me
The other person expressed a strong connection to the music.

They launched into, "Lonely From Rock 'n Roll"
The final band played a song called "Lonely From Rock 'n Roll."

Followed by, "They Checked Out An Hour Ago"
The final band played a song called "They Checked Out An Hour Ago" after the previous one.

Closing with, "All Desires Turn Concrete"
The final band's last song was called "All Desires Turn Concrete."

Those melodies come back to me
The singer still remembers the songs that the final band played.

Time beyond our heartbeat
These memories are from a long time ago.

I guess I'm too slow, yes, I'm too, yes, I'm too slow
The artist expresses self-doubt about keeping up with the other person.

But you said anytime of the day was fine
The other person reassured the singer that they were available to hang out at any time of day.

You said anytime of the night was also fine
The other person also reassured the singer that they could hang out at any time of night.

I walked through your revolving door
The artist entered a revolving door.

Got no answer on the seventh floor
The artist did not receive a response when they reached the seventh floor.

Elevator gave a low moan
The elevator made a noise.

The pigeons sagged the wire with their weight
The birds on the wire caused it to sag due to their combined weight.

Listening to the singing chambermaid
The artist was listening to someone else sing.

She sang, "They Checked Out An Hour Ago," and chuckled
The singer performed a song called "They Checked Out An Hour Ago" and laughed afterward.

Our heartbeat, our heartbeat, our heartbeat
The singer and the other person's hearts were beating in unison.

Long conversation or idle chit chat
The singer and the other person could engage in either a deep conversation or casual small talk.

Maybe dive in or maybe hang back
The artist and the other person could either fully participate or stay on the sidelines during a conversation.

Idle conversation or idle chit chat
The artist and the other person could either engage in casual small talk or nothing at all.

Maybe dive in or maybe hang back
The singer and the other person could either fully participate or stay on the sidelines during a conversation.