Did you see the lad, on the corner
He was standing drinking wine
Wears his overcoat in the summer
And short sleeves in the winter time

Takes his holidays, down at the bookies
Well he knows how to pick a horse
Village tramping round the countryside
He wears a smile, but he doesn't say much

Village idiot, he's complicated
Village idiot, simple mind
Village idiot, he does know something
But he's just not saying

Don't you know he's onto something
You can see it, you can see it in his eyes
Sometimes he looks so happy
As he goes strolling by

Oh village idiot, he's complicated
Village idiot, he's got a simple mind
Village idiot, must know something
But he's just not saying

Well you all know he's onto something
You can see it in his eyes
Sometimes he looks so happy
When he goes walking by
Sometimes he looks so happy
When he goes walking by
Sometimes he looks so happy
When he goes walking by.


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira

Village Idiot Lyrics as written by Van Morrison

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Village Idiot song meanings
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    My Interpretation

    Surely a song of observation and not written at all in a condescending manner. We've all seen individuals like this, have we not, who we thought have missed out and don't know much. Reminds me of Johnny in 'Police Squad' who shined Frank Drebin's shoes and gave him the lowdown and clues on the case he was investigating.

    The language in the song is respectful of this guy even though the title suggests it is not - "he does know something but he's just not saying". The song finishes to, "Sometimes he looks so happy, When he goes walking by". We wouldn't take his place for the world but there is a contentedness about his lifestyle which contrasts with perhaps our own.

    robertcousinson February 10, 2016   Link

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