Long way home
Vern Matz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Dressed in a coat, avoiding winter
Keeps smiling through fear and blue and long-lived winter
You might not make it back, but that's ok
I took it way too hard
I never stopped to hear you whisper
Keeps smiling through endless blue and empty winter
And though you might feel alone
Every time I hear you through the phone
I'm smiling
You took the long way home
Dressed in a coat, avoiding winter
Please smile through empty blue and endless winter
We might not make it back
We might not make it back
We might not make it back, but that's ok
The lyrics of Vern Matz's "Long Way Home" tell a poignant story of two individuals who are facing struggles and uncertainties in their journey. The repetition of "taking the long way home" suggests that both characters are on a journey of self-discovery and growth, perhaps metaphorically representing their paths in life. The choice to dress in a coat to avoid winter symbolizes their attempts to shield themselves from challenges and hardships, but ultimately they embrace their fears and continue moving forward despite them.
The line "Keeps smiling through fear and blue and long-lived winter" conveys a sense of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The characters find strength in staying positive and smiling, even when faced with difficult circumstances. This resilience is further emphasized with the acknowledgment that they might not make it back, but they find acceptance and peace with that realization, suggesting a sense of surrender to the unknown future.
The contrast between the two characters is highlighted in the lyrics, with one admitting to taking things "way too hard" and never pausing to listen to the other's whispers. This could signify a lack of understanding or communication between them, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Despite this, there is a sense of connection and empathy between them, as evidenced by the line "Every time I hear you through the phone, I'm smiling," suggesting that their bond transcends physical distance.
The repetition of the phrase "We might not make it back, but that's okay" resonates with a sense of acceptance and resignation to the uncertainties of life. There is a bittersweet acknowledgement of the impermanence of existence and the inevitability of change. The characters find solace in each other's presence and in the shared experience of facing challenges together, ultimately finding comfort in the journey itself rather than the destination. Overall, the lyrics of "Long Way Home" capture themes of resilience, connection, and the acceptance of life's uncertainties.
Contributed by Henry B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.