Hometown Waltz
Wainwright Lyrics
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Don't even exist at all
So I'm tearing up these tarot cards and Venetians clowns
Antique shops and alcoholic homosexuals
You may ask why I want to torch my home town
Partly it's bitterness and hopping 'round and 'round again
On Ontario Street looking up
You travel the world and find all the answers
Everything operates on the unattainable's
And then you hear your mother laugh attached to the phone
Could have walked around the block 'cause all roads lead to
home
Say, will you ever ever ever know,
Ever ever ever fly away?
Will you ever ever ever go,
Ever ever ever find a way?
In "Hometown Waltz," Wainwright shares his thoughts about his hometown, Montreal, and the frustrations and conflicts he has with it. He starts by saying that the drummers and jugglers in Montreal don't exist at all, which could be interpreted as a commentary on the city's lack of vibrancy or uniqueness. He then mentions tearing up tarot cards and Venetian clowns, which could be seen as a rejection of the superficial, flashy side of Montreal culture. He also mentions antique shops and alcoholic homosexuals, which could signify the city's history and social issues.
Wainwright goes on to explain his bitterness and frustration with hopping 'round and 'round on Ontario Street (a street in Montreal) looking up. He might be searching for inspiration or answers about what to do with his career, but he can't seem to find it. He then seems to suggest that there is a possibility of finding what he's looking for by catching someone on their way to the show. Perhaps this person represents a symbol of hope or a source of inspiration.
As the song continues, Wainwright discusses his travels and how everything he encounters seems unattainable. He longs to fly away and find a way to escape his frustrations, but then his mother's laughter reminds him of his humanity and connection to his hometown. He concludes the song by musing on the idea of finding a way to leave and fly away while also acknowledging that no matter where he goes, all roads lead to home.
Line by Line Meaning
The drummers and jugglers in Montreal
Montreal is famous for its street performers, but they hold no importance to me
Don't even exist at all
They don't matter in the grand scheme of things
So I'm tearing up these tarot cards and Venetians clowns
I'm getting rid of things that don't matter to me anymore
Antique shops and alcoholic homosexuals
Old things and irrelevant people don't have a place in my life
You may ask why I want to torch my home town
People may question why I want to leave my hometown even though it's familiar to me
Partly it's bitterness and hopping 'round and 'round again
I'm bitter about my experiences in my hometown and feel stuck in a cycle
On Ontario Street looking up
I'm trying to catch a glimpse of someone who's left me behind
Maybe I'll catch him on his way to the show
I'm hoping to see this person before he leaves town
You travel the world and find all the answers
Travelling doesn't necessarily mean you'll find all the answers
Everything operates on the unattainable's
Things that seem out of reach are what drives people
And then you hear your mother laugh attached to the phone
Hearing your mother's laughter can make you feel like you're right at home
Could have walked around the block 'cause all roads lead to home
You don't need to travel far to find what you're looking for; it could be right at your doorstep
Say, will you ever ever ever know
Will you ever understand the reasons behind my actions?
Ever ever ever fly away?
Will I ever escape my hometown?
Will you ever ever ever go
Will you ever leave your comfort zone?
Ever ever ever find a way?
Will you ever find your true path in life?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind