A Friend To You
Warren Haynes Band Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dive in, dive in, boy
The water's only deep
And head first is the only way into this life

Oh sit right down
Is there anything I can do
To be a friend to you
Maybe give you something you could keep
But what would that be

Ride on, ride on, boy
Your white horse into the wind
Critic's darling-poet to the working man
They try to love you but they will never understand

Oh sit right down
Is there anything I can do
To be a friend to you
Maybe give you something you could keep
Everything you had you either lost or threw away
And at the end of the day
I guess that's what I'll be
When you're finally through with me

You and your mystical charm
A hole in your soul-another in your arm
People bow down to you
But they could never bow so low as when you sink
Like a stone
Into your blue throne

Wasted, wasted, wasting away
Like the years we've both seen come and go
No way to bring it all back
Screaming your lungs out
Where have all the listeners gone?
Did they turn their back on greatness?
Did they turn their back on a light divine?
They say every star burns out in time

Boy, sit right down
Is there anything I can do
To be a friend to you
Maybe give you something you could keep
But what would that be
Everything you had you either lost or threw away
I'll tell ya, at the end of the day
I guess that's what I'll be
When you're finally through with me




When you're finally through with me
When you're finally through with me

Overall Meaning

The song "A Friend To You," by Warren Haynes, speaks to the idea of struggling with addiction and the ultimate loneliness that comes with it. Haynes sings about his desire to be there for a friend, who is seemingly unable to do anything but continue down the path of self-destruction. He urges his friend to "dive in," head first into life, but also acknowledges the pain and suffering that comes with such a journey. The line "is there anything I can do to be a friend to you, maybe give you something you could keep" recognizes the complexity of this kind of friendship, where it is difficult to help someone who may not even be able to help themselves.


Haynes also addresses the idea of fame and how it can sometimes be a trap, where people may bow down to the individual, but not truly understand them or what they are going through. He recognizes the loneliness and isolation that can come with this kind of public pressure and how it can lead to destructive behaviors. He sings, "they say every star burns out in time," recognizing the inevitability of having to face the consequences of one's actions.


Line by Line Meaning

Dive in, dive in, boy
Take a risk and jump in, don't be afraid of the deep end


The water's only deep
The challenge is great, but you can handle it


And head first is the only way into this life
You have to give it your all to truly live life


Oh sit right down
Come take a seat and let's talk


Is there anything I can do
How can I be of help to you


To be a friend to you
To be someone you can rely on


Maybe give you something you could keep
Maybe I can offer you something of value


But what would that be
But what could I possibly offer you that you don't already have


Ride on, ride on, boy
Keep going, keep pushing forward


Your white horse into the wind
Your noble steed towards the unknown journey


Critic's darling-poet to the working man
You are appreciated by some but not by all


They try to love you but they will never understand
They support you, but they don't truly know what you're going through


Everything you had you either lost or threw away
You've let go of things that were important to you


And at the end of the day
When it's all said and done


I guess that's what I'll be
Maybe I'll just be someone who was there for you


You and your mystical charm
You have a captivating aura about you


A hole in your soul-another in your arm
You have emptiness inside that you try to fill with substances


People bow down to you
People admire you


But they could never bow so low as when you sink
No one can truly understand your lowest points


Like a stone
You fall hard and fast


Into your blue throne
You retreat to a place of solitude and sadness


Wasted, wasted, wasting away
You're deteriorating quickly


Like the years we've both seen come and go
Just like time flies by, so do our lives


No way to bring it all back
You can't undo the damage that's been done


Screaming your lungs out
You shout and cry out for help


Where have all the listeners gone?
Why have people stopped caring, stopped listening?


Did they turn their back on greatness?
Have they abandoned true talent and potential?


Did they turn their back on a light divine?
Did they reject something that seemed heaven-sent?


They say every star burns out in time
Everything comes to an end eventually


When you're finally through with me
When you no longer need me




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WARREN HAYNES, JEFFERY NORMAN ANDERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Lilbit0169

Uncle Warren & Mr.Ron.... Making it happen.... Ineffincredible!!!!!

The Sentient

no dislikes says a lot these days with even a small sample size... this song has multiple meanings to me.

jweyant01

Goddamn what a song!! I loved when this band was touring

RebllionDog

1000 Hits my Ass!! Come on man... This is tha SHIT!!!

Stuart Glynn

and what a friend you must be

Esther Gavillet

Shared on Google+, April 6, 2018

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