Homeward Bound
Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings Lyrics
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Got a ticket for my destination.
On a tour of one-night stands my suitcase and guitar in hand.
And every stop is neatly planned for a poet and a one-man band.
[Chorus]
Homeward bound,
I wish I was,
Home where my thought's escaping,
Home where my music's playing,
Home where my love lies waiting
Silently for me.
Every day's an endless stream
Of cigarettes and magazines.
And each town looks the same to me,
The movies and the factories
And every stranger's face I see reminds me that I long to be,
[Chorus]
Tonight I'll sing my songs again,
I'll play the game and pretend.
But all my words come back to me in shades of mediocrity
Like emptiness in harmony I need someone to comfort me.
[Chorus]
Silently for me.
The song "Homeward Bound" by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings is a ballad sung from the perspective of a musician who is always on tour, moving from one town to another in pursuit of his career. The man is constantly on the move, traveling on trains and buses from city to city, every stop on his journey planned out in advance. He travels alone, with just his suitcase and guitar for company, performing at one-night stands and hoping to make a name for himself in the music industry.
The song's chorus is a poignant expression of the man's longing for home, a place where he can escape from the endless stream of strangers, the mundane routine of cigarettes and magazines, and the factories and movie theaters that all seem to blend together as he travels. He dreams of being reunited with his loved ones, of the solitude of home where he can escape into his music and get lost in its harmonious chords. Yet, despite his yearning, he knows it is but a distant dream, and he must continue to sing his songs and play the game of the music industry, even if it means facing mediocrity.
Overall, "Homeward Bound" is a melancholy song that speaks to the universal human desire for connections and belonging, even in the midst of constant motion and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting in the railway station.
I am currently situated in a railroad station.
Got a ticket for my destination.
I possess a ticket that will take me to my intended arrival point.
On a tour of one-night stands my suitcase and guitar in hand.
I am embarking on a journey which will consist of brief performances in a sequence of venues, while carrying my luggage and musical instrument.
And every stop is neatly planned for a poet and a one-man band.
Each stop on my tour has been meticulously arranged to accommodate both a musician and a writer.
[Chorus] Homeward bound, I wish I was, Homeward bound, Home where my thought's escaping, Home where my music's playing, Home where my love lies waiting Silently for me.
The chorus expresses my yearning to return to my place of dwelling, where I can be free from worry and surrounded by my favorite things, including music and love.
Every day's an endless stream Of cigarettes and magazines.
Each day is essentially the same monotonous routine, consisting of smoking and reading.
And each town looks the same to me, The movies and the factories And every stranger's face I see reminds me that I long to be,
Every city appears identical to me, with its collection of production plants and movie theaters. Whenever I encounter unfamiliar individuals, it only intensifies my yearning to return home.
[Chorus] Homeward bound, I wish I was, Homeward bound, Home where my thought's escaping, Home where my music's playing, Home where my love lies waiting Silently for me.
The chorus repeats my desire to return to my residence, where I can escape negative thoughts, appreciate music, and reunite with my loved one.
Tonight I'll sing my songs again, I'll play the game and pretend.
This evening, I will perform my music as usual, but it will only be a facade on my part.
But all my words come back to me in shades of mediocrity Like emptiness in harmony I need someone to comfort me.
My music feels colorless and unoriginal, like a mournful tune lacking any true emotions. I need someone to console me from within.
[Chorus] Homeward bound, I wish I was, Homeward bound, Home where my thought's escaping, Home where my music's playing, Home where my love lies waiting Silently for me.
The chorus repeats my yearning to return home and revel in my inner thoughts and passions, while my loved one patiently awaits my arrival.
Silently for me.
My loved one will eagerly await my arrival without any reservations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY LANDIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patricia Fearless
Sent here by Texas Snake … heard this son from Simon and Garfunkel.
Texas Snake tells of of the good things you, Willie Nelson does for the good folks of Texas. Thank you Willie, we the People love you and are proud to have you as one of us. Love the way you play that guitar. ❤