Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Down the Road
Van Morrison Lyrics
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And I got those worried
Lonesome homesick Jones
Way on down the road
Well it's down the road I go
Well I got the blues
From way down in New Orleans
And I got to be so far away
Oh don't you see
All our memories, dreams and reflections
That keep haunting me
Well it's down the road I go
And I hear those gypsy voices
Calling me
Way on down the road
Well I got to be
So far away in my memory
Dreams and reflections come on
Keep on back haunting me
Well it's down the road I go
Well I got the blues
From down in New Orleans
Way on down the road
Well it's down the road I go
Well I ve got the worried
Lonesome homesick Jones
Way on down the road
Way on down the road
Oh down the road
Way on down the road baby come on
Way on down the road
Trying to find my way back home
Trying to find my way back home
Further on down the road
Trying to find my way back home
Further on down the road
Down the road of peace
Down the road of peace
Down the road of peace baby
Van Morrison's "Down the Road" is a song that expresses the musician's inner turmoil as he tries to find his way back to his roots. This blues tune reflects Van Morrison's wandering spirit and his longing to be back in New Orleans, a place that influenced his music deeply. The lyrics embody the disorientation and confusion that Van Morrison feels as he searches for a sense of belonging.
The opening lines of the song, "Well it's down the road I go, and I got those worried Lonesome homesick Jones way on down the road" reveal the sense of anxiousness and loneliness that the musician is experiencing. The imagery of the "gypsy voices" calling him further down the road continues the theme of restlessness and searching. The lines "And I got to be so far away, oh don't you see, all our memories, dreams and reflections that keep haunting me", further reveal the inner turmoil of the artist.
Through the lyrics of "Down the Road", Van Morrison expresses his desire to find peace and return home. The repeated line of "Trying to find my way back home, down the road of peace" emphasizes this longing, and the song ends on a positive note, hinting at the possibility of redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's down the road I go
The singer of the song is embarking on a journey, leaving their current location.
And I got those worried Lonesome homesick Jones
The singer is experiencing a mix of emotions, including worry, loneliness, and homesickness.
Way on down the road
The journey the singer is starting is long and will take them far away.
Well I got the blues From way down in New Orleans
The artist is feeling sad, possibly influenced by the music and culture of New Orleans.
And I got to be so far away Oh don't you see All our memories, dreams and reflections That keep haunting me
The artist is struggling to leave behind memories and thoughts that are emotionally significant to them.
And I hear those gypsy voices Calling me
The singer is experiencing a sense of longing and is drawn to the mystique and allure of the gypsy lifestyle.
Well I got to be So far away in my memory Dreams and reflections come on Keep on back haunting me
The singer's memories and reflections continue to trouble and torment them, even as they move further away.
Way on down the road
The journey the artist is undertaking is still ongoing and has not yet come to an end.
Well it's down the road I go
The artist continues on their journey, leaving behind their past and embracing the future.
Well I ve got the worried Lonesome homesick Jones Way on down the road
The artist continues to feel a mix of emotions as they move on, including worry, loneliness, and homesickness.
Way on down the road Oh down the road Way on down the road baby come on Way on down the road Trying to find my way back home Trying to find my way back home
The singer is searching for a place to call home, and continues on their journey in hopes of finding it.
Further on down the road Trying to find my way back home Further on down the road Down the road of peace Down the road of peace Down the road of peace baby
The artist continues to look for a peaceful place to call home, and hopes that their journey will ultimately lead them to it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind