Small Town Boy
Various Artists Lyrics


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Big man in town...

Each day as I grow older,
The nights are getting colder.
Some day the sun will shine on me.
Money, I don't have any:
I'm down to my last penny,
But, darling, don't cry over me:

I'll be a big man in town (honest, honey)
I'll be a big man in town (promise, darling)
I'll be a big man in town, just you wait and see:
You'll be proud of me.

They think that I'm a rover,
But my roving days are over.
Someday your folks will welcome me.
I went away a small man,
But I'll come home a tall man.
Then what a pretty bride you'll be.

I'll be a big man in town (honest, honey)
I'll be a big man in town (promise, darling)
I'll be a big man in town, just you wait and see:
You'll be proud of me.

I'm gonna make it, just wait and see.
I'm gonna make it, just wait and see.




Just wait and see,
Girl, I'm gonna make it, just wait and see

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Various Artists' song The Man in the Raincoat depict a man's determination to improve his life and earn the respect of others. The singer acknowledges his current financial struggles, expressing that he is down to his last penny, but remains optimistic about his future. He promises his significant other that he will rise to become a successful and respected member of society, pledging to be a big man in town. The chorus repeats this assertion, emphasizing the singer's determination to overcome his difficulties and become someone that others can look up to.


The singer also addresses others' perceptions of him, acknowledging that he may have been seen as a rover or wanderer in the past. However, he asserts that his roving days are over and that he is ready to settle down and make something of himself. He imagines a future where his partner's family will welcome and accept him and when he returns home, he will do so with newfound stature and pride.


Line by Line Meaning

Each day as I grow older,
I am getting older and experiencing harder times


The nights are getting colder.
Life is getting harder


Some day the sun will shine on me.
I hope that someday my life will improve


Money, I don't have any:
I am currently broke


I'm down to my last penny,
I have nearly no money left


But, darling, don't cry over me:
I don't want my loved ones to worry about me


I'll be a big man in town (honest, honey)
I will be successful one day


I'll be a big man in town (promise, darling)
I promise that I will be successful


I'll be a big man in town, just you wait and see:
Believe in me and I will prove myself


You'll be proud of me.
I want my loved ones to be proud of my achievements


They think that I'm a rover,
Others see me as a wanderer


But my roving days are over.
I am done with wandering and want to settle down


Someday your folks will welcome me.
I hope that my lover's family will accept me


I went away a small man,
When I left I was unimportant


But I'll come home a tall man.
When I return, I will be successful and important


Then what a pretty bride you'll be.
I will be fortunate to marry someone so beautiful


I'm gonna make it, just wait and see.
I believe in myself and my future successes


I'm gonna make it, just wait and see.
I am determined to be successful


Just wait and see, Girl, I'm gonna make it, just wait and see.
I am confident that I will be successful




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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